Avg High
Cape Town in August
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
11h
What to expect
Cape Town is in late winter during August, with the season well established by this point. It generally feels mild and comfortable, and a gentle drop-off once the sun goes down. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple. You get a comfortable daylight window for day trips and sightseeing.
August in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cape Town.
Hottest (avg)
#11 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#3 / 12
Daylight Hours
#9 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#8 / 12
Highest UV
#9 / 12
Most Humid
#4 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 10.9 h
- UV index (max)
- 6
- Typical sun hours
- 07:22 - 18:16
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 12 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 47%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 80%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for August. Typical high 15.9°C and low 9.1°C.
Typical disruptions in August
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in August.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 22% of days (6.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.7 days / month
~22% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.7 days / month
- Probability ~22% of days
- Intensity Up to ~119km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~7 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 17% of days (5.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.1 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.1 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 16% of days (5.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.0 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.0 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.7 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.7 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~126km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.3 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.3 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~131km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Show all disruptions (15 more)
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.1 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~21mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~35mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold Moderate
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.7 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.7 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~5 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 55% of days (17.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.2 days / month
~55% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.2 days / month
- Probability ~55% of days
- Intensity Up to ~92% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~17 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 50% of days (15.6 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.6 days / month
~50% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.6 days / month
- Probability ~50% of days
- Intensity Up to ~104km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~16 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 45% of days (13.9 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.9 days / month
~45% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.9 days / month
- Probability ~45% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 37% of days (11.6 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.6 days / month
~37% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.6 days / month
- Probability ~37% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 37% of days (11.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.5 days / month
~37% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.5 days / month
- Probability ~37% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~12 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 29% of days (9.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.1 days / month
~29% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.1 days / month
- Probability ~29% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~9 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.3 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.3 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.1 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.1 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Visibility Minor
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.4 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.4 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~97 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Cape Town?
Typical August days in Cape Town reach highs of 16°C (61°F) with nights around 10°C (50°F). It usually feels mild by day and cool after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in August?
In August, you can usually expect highs of 16°C (61°F) and lows near 10°C (50°F). That means mild days and cool nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in August?
Rainfall in August averages 81 mm (3.2 in) across roughly 12 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in August?
You can expect about 11 hours of daylight in August. Sunrise is typically around 07:22 and sunset near 18:16. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.
How strong is the sun in August?
UV levels are moderate (around 6); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.
Is it windy in August?
In August, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 75 km/h (47 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.