Best Time to Visit Johannesburg
South Africa · Subtropical Highlands climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Johannesburg is:
September → August → July
September scores 70/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41 | 82 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 41 | 82 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 38 | 76 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 31 | 62 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 40 | 50 | 49 | 0 | |
| June | 35 | 34 | 62 | 0 | |
| July | 46 | 34 | 98 | 0 | |
| August | 52 | 50 | 91 | 0 | |
| September | 54 | 70 | 62 | 0 | |
| October | 38 | 77 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 40 | 80 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 41 | 82 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19.4°C (66.9°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| February | 19.3°C (66.7°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| March | 18.2°C (64.8°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| April | 15.3°C (59.5°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| May | 13.0°C (55.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| June | 9.8°C (49.6°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| July | 9.8°C (49.6°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| August | 12.9°C (55.2°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| September | 17.1°C (62.8°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| October | 18.4°C (65.1°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| November | 19.1°C (66.4°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| December | 19.5°C (67.1°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 113.6 mm | 21.6 | Very Wet |
| February | 109.1 mm | 19.2 | Very Wet |
| March | 41.9 mm | 17.0 | Moderate |
| April | 72.7 mm | 11.0 | Wet |
| May | 17.1 mm | 5.0 | Dry |
| June | 12.8 mm | 3.0 | Dry |
| July | 0.8 mm | 1.6 | Dry |
| August | 3.0 mm | 2.4 | Dry |
| September | 12.6 mm | 5.2 | Dry |
| October | 44.7 mm | 10.8 | Moderate |
| November | 87.1 mm | 20.2 | Wet |
| December | 126.6 mm | 24.4 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11.3 hrs | Excellent |
| February | 10.8 hrs | Excellent |
| March | 10.6 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 10.1 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 10.0 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 9.8 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 10.2 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 10.6 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 11.2 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 10.8 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 11.1 hrs | Excellent |
| December | 11.1 hrs | Excellent |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 15.5°C (59.9°F)
Rainfall: 43.9mm avg
Sunshine: 10.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 61.7%
Rainy Days: 11.0/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 10.8°C (51.4°F)
Rainfall: 5.5mm avg
Sunshine: 10.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 45.9%
Rainy Days: 2.3/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 18.2°C (64.8°F)
Rainfall: 48.1mm avg
Sunshine: 11.0 hrs/day
Humidity: 50.2%
Rainy Days: 12.1/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 19.4°C (66.9°F)
Rainfall: 116.4mm avg
Sunshine: 11.1 hrs/day
Humidity: 69.0%
Rainy Days: 21.7/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Johannesburg are September, August, July, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. September scores 70/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Johannesburg?
December is the hottest month with an average temperature of 19.5°C (67.1°F).
What is the coldest month in Johannesburg?
June is the coldest month with an average temperature of 9.8°C (49.6°F).
When is the rainy season in Johannesburg?
December is the wettest month with an average of 126.6mm of precipitation. Johannesburg experiences about 141.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is July with 0.8mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Johannesburg?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (December is hottest at 19.5°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (June averages 9.8°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Johannesburg receives 642.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Johannesburg's altitude of 1,753 meters creates a subtropical highland climate with comfortable temperatures and summer rainfall. I've studied the data and found that the city experiences mild, dry winters and warm, wet summers. The best time for visiting is May to September, when the weather is dry and the city's outdoor attractions are most accessible.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: -26.2°, 28.05°. Timezone: Africa/Johannesburg. Last updated: 2026-07-30.