Best time to visit Port Elizabeth
The best time to visit Port Elizabeth is from mid-November through to mid-April, when the average high temperature is around 26°C (79°F).
To avoid the Christmas holiday crowds, visit just before or after the height of the summer season when beaches are less crowded and the weather is just as good.
Port Elizabeth is considered a year-round destination.
Port Elizabeth weather
Port Elizabeth experiences a sunny, subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers and occasional rain showers. On occasions, the wind from the interior can bring very hot days.
What is the best month to visit Port Elizabeth?
January, February and March are the best months to visit Port Elizabeth since this is the warmest time of year, with warm to hot, sunny weather, mainly clear skies, little or no rainfall and sea conditions suitable for swimming.
December and April are also acceptable months.
Which is the hottest month in Port Elizabeth?
The hottest month in Port Elizabeth is usually February, with an average high temperature of 27°C (80°F), with moderate heat and humidity, and a low of 17°C (62°F).
However, on the warmest days of the month, the temperature may climb to around 32°C (90°F).
The warm summer season lasts from mid-December to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature above 25°C (77°F).
Which is the coldest month in Port Elizabeth?
The coldest month of the year in Port Elizabeth is July, with an average high of 21°C (70°F) and a low of 7°C (44°F).
The cool season lasts from early-June to early-October, with an average daily high temperature below 22°C (71°F).
Which is the sunniest month in Port Elizabeth?
The sunniest time of year in Port Elizabeth is usually July with an average of 7.5 hours of sunshine per day; that's on average 72% of daylight hours.
What is the humidity in Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth experiences notable seasonal variation in perceived humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 68% – 76% over the course of the year.
The more humid time of year lasts from December through March, during which time the comfort level is muggy or oppressively humid at least 8% of the time.
The months with the most muggy days in Port Elizabeth are January and February, when around eight days in each month are muggy.
We derive the humidity comfort level from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the air. A higher dew point feels muggy and uncomfortable.
April through November experience lower humidity levels. The months with the fewest muggy days in Port Elizabeth are May through October, with less than one day in each month that is humid.
When is the sea warmest in Port Elizabeth?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Port Elizabeth in February when water temperatures average 23°C (73°F), which is barely acceptable for swimming.
The time of year with warmer water lasts from late-December to mid-March, with an average temperature above 22°C (71°F), which is cool for swimming.
The time of year with cooler water lasts from June through October, with an average temperature below 20°C (68°F), which is cold for swimming.
Which month has the most rain in Port Elizabeth?
Rain falls throughout the year in Port Elizabeth. August is usually the wettest month with 65mm (2.5in) of rainfall on average, distributed across seven days.
January and December usually have the least rainfall, with around 35mm (1in) of rainfall on average.
Which is the windiest month in Port Elizabeth?
The windiest month of the year in Port Elizabeth is September, with an average hourly wind speed of 14 kilometres per hour (8.7 mph; 7.6 knots).
The windy part of the year lasts from late-May to early-February, with average wind speeds of more than 12 kilometres per hour (7.5 mph; 6.5 knots).
The less-windy time of year lasts from early-February to late-May. The calmest month of the year in Port Elizabeth is April, with an average hourly wind speed of 11 kilometres per hour (7 mph; 6 knots).
The predominant average hourly wind direction varies throughout the year in Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average high temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 26 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 25 |
| Average low temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 76 | 77 | 77 | 73 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 72 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 76 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 11+ | 11 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11+ |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 35 | 40 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 45 | 65 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 35 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Port Elizabeth, RSA | |||||||||||
Source: Meteorological data for Port Elizabeth is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020, and is sourced from the South African Weather Service at the nearest weather station, Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ), formerly known as Port Elizabeth International Airport.
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit Port Elizabeth: 2 March, 2024
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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