Johannesburg, set on South Africa’s highveld plateau, features a subtropical highland climate with warm, rainy summers and mild, dry winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round, dramatic seasonal changes, and cool evenings due to its elevation. Johannesburg’s weather supports outdoor activities, vibrant festivals, and wildlife excursions throughout the year.
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.
Johannesburg’s climate is shaped by its altitude of 1,753 metres, resulting in four distinct seasons and pronounced day-night temperature swings. Summers (October–March) are warm and rainy, with average highs of 24–26°C and lows of 13–15°C. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, especially from November to January, often delivering brief but heavy downpours that quickly give way to sunshine. Humidity is moderate, and the city’s lush greenery peaks during this period. December is typically the wettest month, with up to 150 mm of rain and 9–14 rainy days per month. Despite the rain, Johannesburg enjoys 8–9 hours of sunshine daily in summer, and the UV index is high.
Winters (May–August) are mild and dry, with clear skies and abundant sunshine. Daytime highs reach 17–20°C, while nights can be cold, dropping to 3–6°C, and frost is possible in the outskirts. Rain is rare in winter – June and July often see only 1–2 rainy days per month. Sunshine is at its peak, with 9–10 hours daily, making winter ideal for outdoor exploration and safaris. Spring (September–October) and autumn (March–April) are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (10–25°C), low rainfall, and colourful foliage or blooming jacarandas. Annual precipitation averages 700–770 mm, mostly falling in the warm months. Winds are generally light to moderate, and the city enjoys over 3,100 hours of sunshine each year. Snow is extremely rare.
| Average climate data for Johannesburg, South Africa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 15 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 125 | 90 | 91 | 54 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 73 | 118 | 106 | 717 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 99 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 70 | 67 | 65 | 56 | 53 | 49 | 47 | 46 | 57 | 65 | 66 | 59 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average UV index | 12 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 |
The best time to visit Johannesburg is during spring (September–October) and autumn (April–May), when temperatures are mild (15–25°C), rainfall is low, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most vibrant. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, outdoor events, and exploring the city’s cultural attractions with fewer crowds.
The least favourable time is during the peak of summer (December–February), when frequent afternoon thunderstorms, higher humidity, and occasional heavy downpours can disrupt outdoor plans. However, mornings remain sunny, and the city is lush and lively. Winter nights (June–July) can be cold, but days are clear and pleasant.
Johannesburg has a subtropical highland climate with warm, rainy summers (24–26°C), mild, dry winters (17–20°C by day, 3–6°C at night), and abundant sunshine year-round. Most rain falls from October to March.
The best time to visit is during spring (September–October) and autumn (April–May), when the weather is mild, rainfall is low, and the city’s parks and gardens are at their most beautiful.
Snow is extremely rare in Johannesburg. Winter nights can be frosty, especially in the outskirts, but most winters are dry and sunny with little risk of snow.
Johannesburg receives about 700–770 mm of rain annually, with most rainfall occurring from October to March. December and January are the wettest months, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
Johannesburg enjoys over 3,100 hours of sunshine per year, with 8–10 hours daily even in winter. The city is one of the sunniest in South Africa, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer, along with a rain jacket for afternoon storms. In winter, bring warm layers for chilly nights and mornings, but lighter clothing for sunny days.
Yes, especially in the dry winter months (June–August), when clear skies and mild days are perfect for safaris and exploring nearby parks. Summer is lush but wetter, so plan outdoor activities for mornings.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (25.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is June (15.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 21.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (14.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is June (4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 10.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (124.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (4 mm). Over the whole year there are 716.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (15.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (0.9 days). Over the whole year there are 98.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (70 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is September (46.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 59.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 10 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 July (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is March (Average sunshine: 6.9 h). Over the whole year there are 8.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index: 12). The months with the lowest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 9.3.
