The best times to visit Cape Town for ideal weather are
August 6th to January 21st
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Cape Town Travel Guide
Other Cape Town Travel Info
Weather in Cape Town
Temperature
Average temperatures in Cape Town vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel very enjoyable all year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is among the most temperate — in the 94th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Cape Town, the hottest months are February, January, and then December. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid February where highs are regularly around 86°F (30°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 66.5°F (19.2°C) at night.
Cape Town Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Cape Town Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Cape Town Perceived Temperature (F)
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Cape Town Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Cape Town Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81.7 | 70.8 | 63.5 |
| Feb | 81.9 | 71 | 63.8 |
| Mar | 78.6 | 67.8 | 61 |
| Apr | 78.5 | 67 | 59.7 |
| May | 69.2 | 60.2 | 55.3 |
| Jun | 64.7 | 56.4 | 50.8 |
| Jul | 63.5 | 55.7 | 50 |
| Aug | 67.9 | 58.4 | 53.1 |
| Sep | 69.9 | 59.8 | 53.8 |
| Oct | 75.2 | 64.4 | 57.5 |
| Nov | 76.6 | 65.6 | 58.7 |
| Dec | 80 | 69.8 | 62.7 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27.6 | 21.6 | 17.5 |
| Feb | 27.7 | 21.7 | 17.7 |
| Mar | 25.9 | 19.9 | 16.1 |
| Apr | 25.8 | 19.4 | 15.4 |
| May | 20.7 | 15.7 | 12.9 |
| Jun | 18.2 | 13.6 | 10.4 |
| Jul | 17.5 | 13.2 | 10 |
| Aug | 19.9 | 14.7 | 11.7 |
| Sep | 21.1 | 15.4 | 12.1 |
| Oct | 24 | 18 | 14.2 |
| Nov | 24.8 | 18.7 | 14.8 |
| Dec | 26.7 | 21 | 17.1 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Cape Town are January, February, and then April. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late August to early September with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of August 27th.
When can you find snow in Cape Town? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Cape Town.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Cape Town (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Feb | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Mar | 2% | 0 | 0.2 |
| Apr | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| May | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Jun | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Jul | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Aug | 2% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Sep | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Oct | 0% | 0 | 0 |
| Nov | 2% | 0 | 0.1 |
| Dec | 0% | 0 | 0 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Feb | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mar | 2 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Apr | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jun | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jul | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aug | 2 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Sep | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oct | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nov | 2 | 0 | 0.3 |
| Dec | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Humidity and Wind
Cape Town has some slightly muggy months, with moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is April (43.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is May (62.9%).
Wind in Cape Town is usually calm. The windiest month is December, followed by November and October. December’s average wind speed of around 5.4 knots (6.2 MPH or 10 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid February where average top sustained speeds reach 10.7 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Cape Town.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 5 | Light breeze | 8 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 5 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 4.8 | Light breeze | 7.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 4.1 | Light breeze | 6.9 | Light breeze |
| May | 3.7 | Barely noticeable | 6.3 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 3.6 | Barely noticeable | 5.7 | Light breeze |
| Jul | 3.9 | Barely noticeable | 5.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 3.9 | Barely noticeable | 6.2 | Light breeze |
| Sep | 4.6 | Light breeze | 7.2 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 5.2 | Light breeze | 8.3 | Gentle breeze |
| Nov | 5.4 | Light breeze | 8.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 5.4 | Light breeze | 8.4 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 51.3% |
| Feb | 49% |
| Mar | 53.8% |
| Apr | 43.9% |
| May | 62.9% |
| Jun | 59.1% |
| Jul | 56.8% |
| Aug | 59.4% |
| Sep | 53.2% |
| Oct | 49.5% |
| Nov | 45.8% |
| Dec | 47.7% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Cape Town?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for South Africa; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 30, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Cape Town, South Africa is January, followed by February and November. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Cape Town in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Cape Town Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 86°F (30°C) and 61.3°F (16.3°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is extremely rare with 0 to 1 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see the most precipitation with 0 to 1 days of precipitation per month. June – August is fairly slow season for tourism in Cape Town, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 80.9°F (27.2°C) and 63.8°F (17.7°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a barely noticeable amount: 0 to 1 days per month. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Cape Town to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 85°F (29.4°C) and 77.1°F (25.1°C). On average, it rains or snows a insignificant amount: consistently 0 times per month. These times of year are the busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› South Africa › Cape Town, South Africa