Hottest (avg)
#2 / 12
One of the warmer months.
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Cape Town.
Wettest (avg)
#11 / 12
One of the drier months.
Daylight Hours
#2 / 12
Long daylight hours.
Windiest (avg)
#1 / 12
The breeziest month of the year.
Highest UV
#2 / 12
UV runs high compared with most months.
Most Humid
#11 / 12
One of the less humid months.
Monthly climate breakdown
A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for January.
Thermal profile
Temperature
Typical daytime high
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Light window
Sunshine
14.1 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 05:51 - 19:58
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 4 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 24%
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
70%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through January in Cape Town. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.
Primary control
Select a day
Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.
Secondary context
Monthly trend
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range
Day 15 selected for January. Temperature 24.4°C.
Historical disruption baseline
Typical disruptions in January
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in January.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 34% of days (10.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
10.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~34% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~111km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~10 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 13% of days (4.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~13% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~122km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Severe gusts are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat High impact
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~26mm (P95)
Why this matters
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 days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~11% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~34°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot days are possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Moderate
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~11% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~37°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~31mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~0 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 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~136km/h (P95)
Why this matters
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 January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.1 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~9.9mm (P95)
Why this matters
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
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~2% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~26mm (P95)
Why this matters
Rain disruption risk appears on ~1 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 87% of days (26.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
26.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~87% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~27 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 19% of days (6.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
6.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~19% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~8.8mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~6 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 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~15% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~33km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Breezy conditions are possible on ~5 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 13% of days (4.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~13% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~14h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~4 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 13% of days (3.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~13% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~88% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~4 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 10% of days (3.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~10% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~94% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~3 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 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~20°C (P95)
Why this matters
Humid conditions are possible on ~2 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~16h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~2 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 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~96% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.4 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.4 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~34°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heat stress is 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 0.2 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~97% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~22°C (P95)
Why this matters
Warm nights are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
Is January a good time to visit Cape Town?
Typical January days in Cape Town reach highs of 26°C (79°F) with nights around 17°C (63°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. It is one of the drier months, which suits outdoor exploring and sightseeing.
What are temperatures like in January?
Daytime temperatures in January typically peak near 26°C (79°F), while nights drop to around 17°C (63°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 13 mm (0.51 in) across roughly 4 days. Overall it is a mostly dry time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in January?
You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 05:51 and sunset near 19:58. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 10), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 18 km/h (11 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 88 km/h (55 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.