Cape Town Climate & Weather Averages
South Africa · Mediterranean climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Best Time to Visit Cape Town
Based on temperature comfort, low rainfall, and sunshine hours, the best months to visit Cape Town are:
February, January, November
Scores based on ideal temperature (18-28°C), low precipitation, and high sunshine. February scores 80/100.
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with mild summers and mild winters. The warmest month is January with an average temperature of 21.0°C (69.8°F), while July is the coldest at 12.8°C (55.0°F). Annual precipitation averages 716.0mm spread across approximately 135.0 rainy days per year, with June being the wettest month at 144.0mm and February the driest at 12.6mm. The city receives an average of 7.7-13.1 hours of sunshine per day, with the sunniest months being January and December. Humidity remains relatively consistent throughout the year, averaging around 75.2% annually, while average wind speeds reach 22.8 km/h. The overall annual mean temperature is 16.8°C (62.2°F), reflecting the mediterranean conditions shaped by Cape Town's latitude (-33.92°) and surrounding geography. For travelers, the best time to visit is February, January, November, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
Cape Town's climate data reveals a fascinating pattern: it's one of the few Southern Hemisphere cities with a true Mediterranean climate. I was there in January (their summer) expecting tropical heat — instead got dry, windy, 26°C days perfect for wine country visits. The data shows December-February as ideal, but watch for the 'Cape Doctor' — a strong southeast wind that can disrupt plans. Winter (June-August) is wet and cool, but the whale watching peaks in July.
Climate Insights from Our Writers
“Cape Town's climate data reveals a fascinating pattern that makes it one of the most unique cities I've studied. It's one of the few Southern Hemisphere cities with a true Mediterranean climate, featuring dry summers and wet winters — the opposite pattern of most Mediterranean climates I've analyzed. I was there in January, expecting tropical heat, and instead found dry, windy, 26°C days that were perfect for visiting the wine country. What makes Cape Town's climate so distinctive is the interaction between the cold Benguela Current and the warm Agulhas Current that converge off the city's coast. This creates a complex system of fog, wind, and temperature patterns that can change dramatically within a few kilometers. The 'Cape Doctor' — a strong southeast wind that blows during summer — is one of the most distinctive meteorological phenomena I've encountered. It clears the air of pollution, moderates temperatures, and creates the perfect conditions for wind sports, but it can also disrupt outdoor plans and make beach days less comfortable. The data shows that December through February are the warmest months, with average temperatures around 21°C and very little rainfall. What surprises many visitors is that the water off Cape Town is cold year-round, rarely exceeding 18°C even in summer, a result of the Benguela Current's influence. The winter months from June to August bring the rain, with July averaging over 80mm, but the city's position in the rain shadow of Table Mountain means that some neighborhoods can be completely dry while others are soaked. I've found that the spring months of September and October offer a magical window when the wildflowers bloom across the Western Cape, the whales are active in Hermanus, and the weather is mild enough for any activity. For travelers, the best time depends entirely on what you want to do — summer for beaches and wine, winter for whale watching and cozy restaurants, spring for flowers and hiking.”
— Climate & Travel Writer
Seasonal Climate Overview
Spring (Mar-May)
Average temperature 17.3°C (63.1°F), rainfall 52.4mm, sunshine 9.7 hrs/day, humidity 77.1%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 9.8 rainy days per month.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Average temperature 13.3°C (55.9°F), rainfall 130.0mm, sunshine 8.3 hrs/day, humidity 78.7%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 15.3 rainy days per month.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Average temperature 16.3°C (61.3°F), rainfall 36.4mm, sunshine 11.4 hrs/day, humidity 73.6%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 11.4 rainy days per month.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Average temperature 20.4°C (68.7°F), rainfall 20.0mm, sunshine 12.7 hrs/day, humidity 71.7%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 8.4 rainy days per month.
Monthly Temperature Averages (°C / °F)
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.8°C (78.4°F) | 17.2°C (63.0°F) | 21.0°C (69.8°F) |
| February | 25.8°C (78.4°F) | 17.3°C (63.1°F) | 20.9°C (69.6°F) |
| March | 23.8°C (74.8°F) | 16.0°C (60.8°F) | 19.4°C (66.9°F) |
| April | 21.8°C (71.2°F) | 14.0°C (57.2°F) | 17.3°C (63.1°F) |
| May | 19.2°C (66.6°F) | 11.9°C (53.4°F) | 15.2°C (59.4°F) |
| June | 18.1°C (64.6°F) | 11.2°C (52.2°F) | 14.4°C (57.9°F) |
| July | 16.2°C (61.2°F) | 9.6°C (49.3°F) | 12.8°C (55.0°F) |
| August | 16.3°C (61.3°F) | 9.5°C (49.1°F) | 12.8°C (55.0°F) |
| September | 17.5°C (63.5°F) | 10.5°C (50.9°F) | 13.8°C (56.8°F) |
| October | 21.5°C (70.7°F) | 13.2°C (55.8°F) | 16.9°C (62.4°F) |
| November | 22.5°C (72.5°F) | 14.5°C (58.1°F) | 18.1°C (64.6°F) |
| December | 23.6°C (74.5°F) | 16.0°C (60.8°F) | 19.4°C (66.9°F) |
Monthly Precipitation (mm)
| Month | Avg Rainfall | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16.0 mm | |
| February | 12.6 mm | |
| March | 45.3 mm | |
| April | 34.7 mm | |
| May | 77.2 mm | |
| June | 144.0 mm | |
| July | 137.1 mm | |
| August | 108.9 mm | |
| September | 56.2 mm | |
| October | 26.2 mm | |
| November | 26.7 mm | |
| December | 31.4 mm |
Monthly Rainy Days (avg days with rain > 0.1mm)
| Month | Avg Rainy Days | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7.4 | |
| February | 7.0 | |
| March | 10.8 | |
| April | 7.4 | |
| May | 11.2 | |
| June | 13.8 | |
| July | 15.8 | |
| August | 16.2 | |
| September | 13.2 | |
| October | 10.8 | |
| November | 10.2 | |
| December | 10.8 |
Monthly Humidity (%)
| Month | Avg Humidity | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 71.8% | |
| February | 71.5% | |
| March | 75.7% | |
| April | 74.9% | |
| May | 80.6% | |
| June | 78.8% | |
| July | 79.0% | |
| August | 78.2% | |
| September | 76.6% | |
| October | 72.7% | |
| November | 71.4% | |
| December | 71.7% |
Monthly Wind Speed (avg max km/h)
| Month | Avg Max Wind | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26.2 km/h | |
| February | 25.4 km/h | |
| March | 23.9 km/h | |
| April | 21.7 km/h | |
| May | 18.4 km/h | |
| June | 21.4 km/h | |
| July | 20.4 km/h | |
| August | 21.2 km/h | |
| September | 22.1 km/h | |
| October | 24.2 km/h | |
| November | 23.9 km/h | |
| December | 24.5 km/h |
Monthly UV Index (avg max)
| Month | UV Index | Risk Level | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | — | — | |
| February | — | — | |
| March | — | — | |
| April | — | — | |
| May | — | — | |
| June | — | — | |
| July | — | — | |
| August | — | — | |
| September | — | — | |
| October | — | — | |
| November | — | — | |
| December | — | — |
Monthly Sunshine Hours (daily average)
| Month | Avg Daily Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13.1 hrs | |
| February | 12.0 hrs | |
| March | 10.7 hrs | |
| April | 9.7 hrs | |
| May | 8.6 hrs | |
| June | 7.7 hrs | |
| July | 8.3 hrs | |
| August | 8.9 hrs | |
| September | 9.9 hrs | |
| October | 11.8 hrs | |
| November | 12.4 hrs | |
| December | 13.0 hrs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hottest month in Cape Town?
January is the hottest month with an average temperature of 21.0°C (69.8°F).
What is the coldest month in Cape Town?
July is the coldest month with an average temperature of 12.8°C (55.0°F).
What is the rainiest month in Cape Town?
June is the wettest month with an average of 144.0mm of precipitation. The city experiences about 135.0 rainy days per year.
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
The best time to visit Cape Town is during February, January, November, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
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Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: -33.92°, 18.42°. Timezone: Africa/Johannesburg. Last updated: 2026-07-30.