Cape Town, South Africa

The climate in Cape Town is mild year-round, with annual average temperatures spanning 16°C / 61°F during July up to 26°C / 79°F in February.

Annual rainfall patterns show an average of 43 mm / 1.7 inches per month, with June being the wettest (97 mm / 3.8 inches) and February the driest (11 mm / 0.43 inches).

The UV index ranges from 4 in June to 10 in December, so strong sun protection is essential during summer months.

Expect approximately 14.4 hours of daylight during December and around 9.9 hours in June.

Each season in Cape Town brings unique weather patterns, allowing visitors to choose the experience that suits them best.

Today's forecast

Climate at a glance

The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Cape Town.

Typical range

High / low

Average highs up to 25.9°C and lows down to 9.3°C.

Rain pattern

Wettest month

June averages 97 mm.

UV

Typical peak band

Typical peak UV is High.

Daylight

Seasonal range

Roughly 10 hrs to 14 hrs.

Wind

Typical strength

Average around 15 km/h, peaking in January.

Humidity

Typical range

Generally 70 % to 81 %.

When should I go?

Our top-rated months for visiting Cape Town, based on long-term weather comfort and conditions

Next steps

Dive deeper into rankings, month details, or packing guidance.

How Cape Town compares

See how it ranks against the rest of South Africa for key metrics.

HOTTEST (AVG)
in South Africa
#3 / 3
COOLEST (AVG)
in South Africa
#2 / 3
WETTEST (TOTAL)
in South Africa
#3 / 3
WINDIEST (AVG)
in South Africa
#1 / 3
HIGHEST UV
in South Africa
#3 / 3
MOST HUMID
in South Africa
#2 / 3

Short term outlook

Visiting soon? Here's the next 7 days of weather for Cape Town, or see an hourly breakdown for the next 14 days.

Frequently asked questions

How does the weather in Cape Town feel over the year?

On a typical year, you can expect highs around 21°C (70°F) and lows near 13°C (55°F). Conditions usually feel mild in the daytime and cool once the sun goes down. You may notice some humidity at times. Expect a mix of sun and cloud across the year.

When is the best time to visit Cape Town for dry weather?

The driest month is usually February, with around 11 mm (0.43 in) of rain. In contrast, June is the wettest month, so that’s when you’re most likely to need a raincoat or umbrella.

When is sun exposure strongest in Cape Town?

UV tends to peak in December, when UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 10), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.

Is Cape Town a windy place?

Across the year, average winds sit around 15 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on windier days up to about 88 km/h (55 mph). Overall it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.

How much daylight does Cape Town get?

On average, days offer about 12 hours of daylight. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.

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