Avg High
Cape Town in December
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h
What to expect
Cape Town is in early summer during December, with the season well established by this point. It leans warmly comfortable through the day, and a gentle drop-off once the sun goes down. Daylight stays generous for longer outdoor plans. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple.
December in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cape Town.
Hottest (avg)
#4 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#9 / 12
Daylight Hours
#1 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#2 / 12
Highest UV
#1 / 12
Most Humid
#12 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14.4 h
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 05:30 - 19:52
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 6 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 31%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 70%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for December. Typical high 24.1°C and low 16.4°C.
Typical disruptions in December
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in December.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 28% of days (8.8 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.8 days / month
~28% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.8 days / month
- Probability ~28% of days
- Intensity Up to ~110km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~9 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 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.0 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.0 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~116km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.2 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.2 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~16mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat Moderate
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 6% of days (1.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.7 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.7 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Moderate
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 6% of days (1.7 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.7 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.7 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain Moderate
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.3 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.3 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~16mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (16 more)
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~106km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~8.4mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in December. 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 ~28mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 84% of days (26.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
26.2 days / month
~84% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 26.2 days / month
- Probability ~84% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~26 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 25% of days (7.6 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.6 days / month
~25% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.6 days / month
- Probability ~25% of days
- Intensity Up to ~8.7mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~8 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 17% of days (5.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.4 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.4 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~95% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~5 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 17% of days (5.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.4 days / month
~17% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.4 days / month
- Probability ~17% of days
- Intensity Up to ~14h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 14% of days (4.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.2 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.2 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~4 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 11% of days (3.4 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.4 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.4 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~33km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.2 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.2 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~16h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~3 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 5% of days (1.5 days/month) in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.5 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.5 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in December. 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 ~20°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in December. 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 ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in December. 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 ~38°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~35°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.1 days/month in December. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.1 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.1 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~32°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
Typical December days in Cape Town reach highs of 24°C (75°F) with nights around 16°C (61°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. Overall, December sits in the middle of the Cape Town climate range.
What are temperatures like in December?
In December, you can usually expect highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows near 16°C (61°F). That means warm days and mild nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in December?
Rainfall in December averages 18 mm (0.71 in) across roughly 6 days. Overall it is a moderately wet time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in December?
You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in December. Sunrise is typically around 05:30 and sunset near 19:52. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in December?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 10), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in December?
In December, average wind speeds are around 18 km/h (11 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 79 km/h (49 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.