Durban Climate & Weather Averages
South Africa · Humid Subtropical climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Best Time to Visit Durban
Based on temperature comfort, low rainfall, and sunshine hours, the best months to visit Durban are:
July, March, December
Scores based on ideal temperature (18-28°C), low precipitation, and high sunshine. July scores 65/100.
Durban has a Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers and warm winters. The warmest month is February with an average temperature of 24.3°C (75.7°F), while July is the coldest at 16.7°C (62.1°F). Annual precipitation averages 950.0mm spread across approximately 166.0 rainy days per year, with December being the wettest month at 120.3mm and July the driest at 13.5mm. The city receives an average of 8.8-10.9 hours of sunshine per day, with the sunniest months being January and March. Humidity remains relatively consistent throughout the year, averaging around 74.2% annually, while average wind speeds reach 22.3 km/h. The overall annual mean temperature is 20.7°C (69.3°F), reflecting the humid subtropical conditions shaped by Durban's latitude (-29.86°) and surrounding geography. For travelers, the best time to visit is July, March, December, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
Durban's humid subtropical climate is influenced by the warm Agulhas Current. I've tracked the data and found that the city enjoys warm temperatures year-round, with the hottest months being January to March. The best time for visiting is April to September, when the humidity is lower and the city's famous beaches are most comfortable.
Seasonal Climate Overview
Spring (Mar-May)
Average temperature 21.4°C (70.5°F), rainfall 85.3mm, sunshine 9.5 hrs/day, humidity 75.8%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 13.0 rainy days per month.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Average temperature 17.2°C (63.0°F), rainfall 20.9mm, sunshine 9.4 hrs/day, humidity 65.2%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 7.5 rainy days per month.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Average temperature 20.2°C (68.4°F), rainfall 94.2mm, sunshine 9.0 hrs/day, humidity 76.8%. Mild transitional weather characterizes this period. Expect around 15.8 rainy days per month.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Average temperature 23.9°C (75.0°F), rainfall 116.4mm, sunshine 10.0 hrs/day, humidity 79.1%. Warm season conditions prevail. Expect around 19.1 rainy days per month.
Monthly Temperature Averages (°C / °F)
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean Temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.8°C (82.0°F) | 20.8°C (69.4°F) | 24.2°C (75.6°F) |
| February | 27.9°C (82.2°F) | 21.1°C (70.0°F) | 24.3°C (75.7°F) |
| March | 27.4°C (81.3°F) | 20.0°C (68.0°F) | 23.6°C (74.5°F) |
| April | 25.3°C (77.5°F) | 17.6°C (63.7°F) | 21.2°C (70.2°F) |
| May | 24.2°C (75.6°F) | 15.1°C (59.2°F) | 19.4°C (66.9°F) |
| June | 22.8°C (73.0°F) | 12.5°C (54.5°F) | 17.2°C (63.0°F) |
| July | 22.5°C (72.5°F) | 11.6°C (52.9°F) | 16.7°C (62.1°F) |
| August | 22.9°C (73.2°F) | 12.9°C (55.2°F) | 17.7°C (63.9°F) |
| September | 23.2°C (73.8°F) | 15.0°C (59.0°F) | 19.0°C (66.2°F) |
| October | 23.6°C (74.5°F) | 16.6°C (61.9°F) | 20.0°C (68.0°F) |
| November | 25.2°C (77.4°F) | 18.3°C (64.9°F) | 21.7°C (71.1°F) |
| December | 26.7°C (80.1°F) | 20.1°C (68.2°F) | 23.3°C (73.9°F) |
Monthly Precipitation (mm)
| Month | Avg Rainfall | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 120.1 mm | |
| February | 108.9 mm | |
| March | 85.4 mm | |
| April | 100.5 mm | |
| May | 70.0 mm | |
| June | 23.9 mm | |
| July | 13.5 mm | |
| August | 25.2 mm | |
| September | 81.3 mm | |
| October | 118.4 mm | |
| November | 82.9 mm | |
| December | 120.3 mm |
Monthly Rainy Days (avg days with rain > 0.1mm)
| Month | Avg Rainy Days | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18.4 | |
| February | 17.6 | |
| March | 16.0 | |
| April | 14.6 | |
| May | 8.4 | |
| June | 6.8 | |
| July | 5.2 | |
| August | 10.6 | |
| September | 13.4 | |
| October | 17.0 | |
| November | 17.0 | |
| December | 21.2 |
Monthly Humidity (%)
| Month | Avg Humidity | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 79.0% | |
| February | 78.5% | |
| March | 78.7% | |
| April | 76.2% | |
| May | 72.5% | |
| June | 66.9% | |
| July | 61.9% | |
| August | 66.7% | |
| September | 75.5% | |
| October | 77.0% | |
| November | 78.0% | |
| December | 79.7% |
Monthly Wind Speed (avg max km/h)
| Month | Avg Max Wind | Bar |
|---|---|---|
| January | 22.4 km/h | |
| February | 21.9 km/h | |
| March | 22.8 km/h | |
| April | 21.2 km/h | |
| May | 19.3 km/h | |
| June | 19.2 km/h | |
| July | 20.6 km/h | |
| August | 23.6 km/h | |
| September | 24.2 km/h | |
| October | 25.2 km/h | |
| November | 23.9 km/h | |
| December | 22.8 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 | 10.9 hrs | |
| February | 9.5 hrs | |
| March | 10.2 hrs | |
| April | 9.0 hrs | |
| May | 9.4 hrs | |
| June | 9.6 hrs | |
| July | 9.5 hrs | |
| August | 9.0 hrs | |
| September | 8.8 hrs | |
| October | 8.8 hrs | |
| November | 9.4 hrs | |
| December | 9.5 hrs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hottest month in Durban?
February is the hottest month with an average temperature of 24.3°C (75.7°F).
What is the coldest month in Durban?
July is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.7°C (62.1°F).
What is the rainiest month in Durban?
December is the wettest month with an average of 120.3mm of precipitation. The city experiences about 166.0 rainy days per year.
When is the best time to visit Durban?
The best time to visit Durban is during July, March, December, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is lower.
Cities with Similar Climate (Humid Subtropical)
Other Cities in South Africa
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: -29.86°, 31.02°. Timezone: Africa/Johannesburg. Last updated: 2026-07-30.