South Africa weather,
a delight for fun in the sun sunshine seekers

Our South Africa weather is mild, pleasant and subtropical all year round.

the moderating effect of the oceans east, south and west of the country together with the altitude of the interior plateau accounts for the warm temperate conditions so typical of South Africa and so popular with its foreign visitors.

South Africa enjoys one of the world’s highest average daily hours of sunshine, totalling 8,5 hours per day, compared with for instance 3,8 in London, 6,4 in Rome and 6,9 in new York.

Do not forget that the seasons on the southern hemisphere are the reverse of those in Europe and the United States and the rest of the northern hemisphere. Come and spend Christmas on one of our golden sunshine beaches.

SOUTH AFRICA CLIMATE FEATURES

SOUTH AFRICA SEASON DETAILS

SOUTH AFRICA WEATHER FORECAST

BEST TIME OF THE YEAR

The Seasons,…

Spring Spring time is flower time - South African Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa

Spring time is flower time - South African Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa

Spring time is flower time
copyright © South African tourism - South African Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa
In South Africa we have spring during the months September, October and November. The changeover from winter to spring can be somewhat windy in the interior, until the first rains have fallen. Day temperatures rise to an average of between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. The nights are still rather cool, but not cold anymore.

In Cape Town the winter rainfall has come to an end and the springtime weather becomes quite pleasant, calm and stable with little wind. Actually a good time to visit Cape town.

In the Mpumalanga lowveld and the Kwazulu Natal coastal regions with a tropic to sub-tropic South Africa weather climate, temperature differences between spring and winter season are considerably smaller then in the rest of the country. Here temperatures and humidity quickly rise from quite pleasant during winter and spring, to the less comfortable hot summertime levels.

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Summer

Afternoon thunderstorm brewing in summer – South Africa weather
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Our summer season is during the months December, January and February. For most of the country this is the rainfall season. On the interior plateau South Africa weather in summer is characterised by dry, warm to hot conditions with day temperatures averaging between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius and from time to time heavy afternoon thunder storms which clear quickly.

The afternoon rainfall helps to keep night temperatures comfortable, cool to warm but not hot. In the Mpumalanga lowveld region and the Kwazulu natal coastal area, the humidity is high and temperatures can sometimes touch the 40 degree Celsius mark. Here the nights can become very balmy.

In Cape Town with its Mediterranean climate there is little or no rain during summer. The prevailing south easterly winds, known by the local Capetonians as the Cape Doctor, helps to keep day temperatures at a pleasant average of between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Bergwinds coming in down-slope the escarpment, bringing in the heat from the interior, see temperatures sometimes rise well beyond 30 degrees Celsius. The nights in Cape Town are balmy, but not uncomfortable, with a very nice atmosphere.

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Autumn

Autumn Colours in the Cape - South African Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa

Autumn colours in the Cape - South Africa weather
copyright © South African tourism - South African Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa
Our Autumn is during the months March, April and May. The grassy plains turn dry, yellow and brown and the trees shed their leaves, like everywhere else when it’s autumn time. The changeover from summer to autumn is rather abrupt in south Africa, making the autumn season feel relatively short.

Autumn offers probably the best South Africa weather overall. Very little rain falls over the whole country and it is warm but not hot, getting colder as the season progresses. Nights are cool, but not yet cold.

In the Mpumalanga lowveld and Kwazulu natal coastal areas hot and humid conditions slowly turn into the very pleasant dry and comfortably warm winter weather that these regions are known for. In Cape Town autumn is fantastic, with little wind, warm sunny days and balmy nights. Autumn and spring are the perfect seasons to visit Cape town.

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Winter

Early morning frost in winter - South Africa Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa

Early morning frost in winter
copyright © South African tourism - South Africa Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa
The winter season in our country are the months June, July and August. Cloudless skies the whole season, with virtually no rain. Sunshine all the way with sometimes dry, windy and dusty conditions. Cold nights with some frost in the morning. That about sums up our South Africa weather in the winter for most of the country, mainly the interior plateau and the escarpment.

Variation between average day temperatures of between 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and average night temperatures of between -5 to 10 degrees Celsius is quite dramatic. Light snowfall can be expected on the peaks of the Cape and Drakensberg mountain ranges above thea 1500 meter mark.

In the Mpumalanga lowveld and Kwazulu natal coast regions, humidity levels have dropped to virtually zero with very little wind. Day and night temperatures are just perfect, pleasant enough for a swim in the sea or an outdoor barbeque or “braai”.

Cape Town and the south western part of the Western Cape province is a different story. With its Mediterranean climate it gets most of its rain during the winter. There are a considerable number of cold, grey, cloudy and rainy days. But then again, these are interspersed with beautiful days that can be compared with the best that a British summer has to offer.

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Best time of the year ?...

Flowering Jacaranda trees in Pretoria - South Africa Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa

Flowering Jacaranda trees in Pretoria
copyright © South African tourism - South Africa Weather, Climate and Weather in South Africa
That is not so easy to answer. There is not really a bad time to visit our country. South Africa weather conditions are warm and sunny all year round in most of the country. It mainly depends on what you want to do.

The best times for game watching for instance, are the winter and spring seasons, let us say from May until about mid-October. The wale watching season around our coasts is from about mid-June to the end of October. Diving is best in most coastal areas over the winter period from April to September, except for maybe the Western Cape coast. The same applies for surfing.

Flower time is in August, September and October. River rafting in the Cape is best at the end of the winter and in KwaZulu Natal in summer from late November to February. Beach weather is fine in KwaZulu Natal all year round, with warm and sunny conditions even in mid-winter. In Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces with their very mild winters, activities are not so time dependent.