Cape Town Weather, When to Go and Climate Information

(Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa)

Cape Town is an attractive place to visit throughout the year, thanks to the city's Mediterranean-style climate. Winter occurs between May and August, when the weather is generally cool and wet.

Temperatures rise during the dry summer months, through from December to March. It's not unusual for Cape Town to experience very windy weather, particularly during the summer.

Seasonal Climate Variations / When to Go

Between September and November, the climate in Cape Town is usually warm and windy. However, it's worth noting that this is springtime and whilst the flowers are at their best at this time of the year, the weather can often be quite changeable. Consequently, visitors should come prepared for both warm weather and for cooler rainy days.

The summer months tend to be fairly warm and dry. Average daily temperatures between December and March are around 26°C / 79°F. If you're looking for unbroken beach weather, then February is the best month to visit Cape Town. Strong south-easterly winds are particularly common at this time of year and are both loved and hated. On the plus side, they make temperatures feel pleasantly cool and air can feel a lot fresher as a result. On the downside, the high winds can become rather annoying after a few days and have been known to occasionally spark off forest fires. Throughout the summer climate, it's best to be prepared with sunblock and to stay in the shade at noon, when temperatures are at their peak.

March to April is a good time to visit Cape Town, as temperatures are still quite warm and the windy weather does tend to die down.

Winters in Cape Town are from June to July and are usually relatively cool and wet, with temperatures during the day reaching no higher than 18°C / 64°F. You're more than likely to need an umbrella if you're staying for any length of time. It's also worth noting that temperatures during the night can feel on the cold side, falling to an average of 7°C / 44°F. However, at this time of the year, Cape Town is free of the crowds of visitors that arrive during the summer and the city is wonderfully green.

Cape Town Weather and Climate Chart (Averages)

	Maximum	Minimum
January	27°C / 81°F	15°C / 59°F
February	28°C / 82°F	16°C / 61°F
March	26°C / 79°F	13°C / 55°F
April	25°C / 77°F	11°C / 52°F
May	21°C / 70°F	9°C / 48°F
June	19°C / 66°F	8°C / 46°F
July	18°C / 64°F	6°C / 43°F
August	19°C / 66°F	7°C / 45°F
September	20°C / 68°F	9°C / 48°F
October	23°C / 73°F	11°C / 52°F
November	24°C / 75°F	12°C / 54°F
December	26°C / 79°F	16°C / 61°F