Cape Town enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city is famous for its abundant sunshine, refreshing sea breezes, and dramatic seasonal contrasts. Visitors can expect long summer days, occasional strong winds, and a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, while winter brings cooler temperatures, rain, and lush green landscapes.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Cape Town’s climate is Mediterranean, marked by hot, dry summers (December to March) and mild, wet winters (June to August). Summer daytime highs average 24–27°C, with occasional peaks above 30°C during heatwaves. Nights are comfortably cool, and humidity is moderate. The city enjoys up to 11 hours of sunshine daily in summer, with long daylight hours and minimal rainfall – typically less than 15 mm per month. The famous 'Cape Doctor,' a strong southeasterly wind, often sweeps through, providing relief from the heat and keeping the air clear.
Winter brings cooler, wetter conditions, with daytime highs of 13–18°C and lows around 7–10°C. Rainfall is concentrated in these months, averaging 70–90 mm per month, and storms can bring strong northwesterly winds. Despite the rain, many winter days are bright and clear. Snow is rare in the city but may dust Table Mountain. Spring (September–November) and autumn (April–May) are transitional, featuring mild temperatures (17–25°C), moderate rainfall, and bursts of wildflowers in spring. The Atlantic Ocean remains cool year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 13°C to 18°C, warmer in False Bay than on the Atlantic Seaboard. Cape Town receives about 3,100 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest cities in South Africa.
The city’s microclimates, shaped by its mountains and coastline, can lead to rapid weather changes – locals often say you can experience all four seasons in one day. Strong winds are common, especially in spring and early summer. Overall, Cape Town’s climate supports a vibrant outdoor culture, from hiking and wine tasting to beach outings and festivals.
| Average climate data for Cape Town, South Africa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 26 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 9 | 7 | 11 | 32 | 46 | 98 | 61 | 71 | 37 | 29 | 18 | 16 | 435 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 111 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 68 | 68 | 71 | 68 | 72 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 68 | 71 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 18 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 27 | 24 | 20 | 26 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
The best time to visit Cape Town is from late October to April, when the weather is warm, dry, and sunny. These months are ideal for outdoor activities, beach visits, and exploring the city’s natural beauty. Early summer and late spring offer fewer crowds, vibrant festivals, and spectacular wildflower displays in the surrounding areas.
The least favourable time to visit is during winter (June to August), when Cape Town experiences its coolest temperatures, frequent rain, and occasional storms. While the city’s scenery is lush and green, outdoor activities can be disrupted by wet and windy weather. However, this season is perfect for wine tasting and indoor cultural experiences.
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, moderate humidity, and strong seasonal contrasts, making it a vibrant destination throughout the year.
Summer temperatures in Cape Town typically range from 24–27°C, with occasional peaks above 30°C during heatwaves. Nights are cooler, and strong southeasterly winds often provide relief from the heat.
Most rain falls in winter (June–August), with monthly averages of 70–90 mm. Summers are dry, with very little rainfall. Rain can arrive suddenly, often accompanied by strong winds, especially in winter.
Yes, Cape Town is known for its strong winds, especially the 'Cape Doctor' southeasterly in summer and northwesterlies in winter. Winds can be brisk, so packing a windproof jacket is advisable for any season.
Snow is extremely rare in Cape Town itself but can occasionally dust Table Mountain and nearby peaks during winter cold fronts. Frost is also uncommon in the city, thanks to its coastal location.
The Atlantic Ocean is cool year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 13°C to 18°C. False Bay is warmer than the Atlantic Seaboard, making it a better option for swimming, especially in late summer.
Bring layers, sun protection, and a windproof jacket for summer. For winter or spring, pack a rain jacket and warm clothing. Comfortable shoes are essential for exploring the city’s hills, beaches, and nature reserves.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is February (26.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is August (16.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 21.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (17.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (10.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is January (18.5 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is August (15.3 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 16.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (98.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (7.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 435.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (13.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (4.9 days). Over the whole year there are 110.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (74.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is February (67.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 70.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (17.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is May (13.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 15.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is June (35.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is February (14.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 25.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February and December (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.8.
