The best times to visit Eastern Cape for ideal weather are
March 12th to May 27th
or
October 1st to December 23rd
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Eastern Cape Travel Guide
Other Eastern Cape Travel Info
Weather in Eastern Cape
Temperature
Average temperatures in Eastern Cape vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some cold weeks in the winter, with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 63rd 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 Eastern Cape, the hottest months are February, January, and then March. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early February where highs are regularly around 84.7°F (29.3°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 61.3°F (16.3°C) at night.
Eastern Cape Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Eastern Cape 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.
Eastern Cape Perceived Temperature (F)
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Eastern Cape Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Eastern Cape 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) |
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Jan | 82.9 | 67.5 | 59.5 |
Feb | 82.7 | 67.6 | 59.8 |
Mar | 81.3 | 65.7 | 57.4 |
Apr | 75.5 | 60.7 | 52.5 |
May | 73.5 | 58.8 | 50 |
Jun | 67.2 | 53.3 | 44.7 |
Jul | 67.9 | 53.6 | 44.6 |
Aug | 71.4 | 55.6 | 46.3 |
Sep | 73.8 | 56.8 | 47.3 |
Oct | 74.1 | 59.1 | 50.9 |
Nov | 76.6 | 60.8 | 52.1 |
Dec | 78.9 | 64.1 | 56.3 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
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Jan | 28.3 | 19.7 | 15.3 |
Feb | 28.2 | 19.8 | 15.4 |
Mar | 27.4 | 18.7 | 14.1 |
Apr | 24.2 | 15.9 | 11.4 |
May | 23.1 | 14.9 | 10 |
Jun | 19.6 | 11.8 | 7.1 |
Jul | 19.9 | 12 | 7 |
Aug | 21.9 | 13.1 | 7.9 |
Sep | 23.2 | 13.8 | 8.5 |
Oct | 23.4 | 15.1 | 10.5 |
Nov | 24.8 | 16 | 11.2 |
Dec | 26.1 | 17.8 | 13.5 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Eastern Cape are August, September, and then May. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early August. For example, on the week of July 30th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid October with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of October 15th.
When can you find snow in Eastern Cape? 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 Eastern Cape.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Eastern Cape (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) |
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Jan | 14% | 0 | 1.3 |
Feb | 18% | 0 | 2.1 |
Mar | 13% | 0 | 1.5 |
Apr | 10% | 0 | 1.8 |
May | 7% | 0 | 0.6 |
Jun | 8% | 0 | 1.2 |
Jul | 9% | 0 | 0.9 |
Aug | 4% | 0 | 0.6 |
Sep | 6% | 0 | 0.7 |
Oct | 16% | 0 | 2.9 |
Nov | 12% | 0 | 2.4 |
Dec | 15% | 0 | 1.7 |
Show Centimeters
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 14 | 0 | 3.3 |
Feb | 18 | 0 | 5.3 |
Mar | 13 | 0 | 3.8 |
Apr | 10 | 0 | 4.6 |
May | 7 | 0 | 1.5 |
Jun | 8 | 0 | 3 |
Jul | 9 | 0 | 2.3 |
Aug | 4 | 0 | 1.5 |
Sep | 6 | 0 | 1.8 |
Oct | 16 | 0 | 7.4 |
Nov | 12 | 0 | 6.1 |
Dec | 15 | 0 | 4.3 |
Humidity and Wind
Eastern Cape has some very humid months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is July (51.7% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (71.5%).
Wind in Eastern Cape is usually moderate. The windiest month is June, followed by November and October. June’s average wind speed of around 8.5 knots (9.8 MPH or 15.8 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid June where average top sustained speeds reach 13.5 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Eastern Cape.
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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 | 7.6 | Gentle breeze | 11.4 | Significant breeze |
Feb | 6.9 | Light breeze | 11.3 | Significant breeze |
Mar | 7.2 | Gentle breeze | 10.9 | Significant breeze |
Apr | 6.7 | Light breeze | 10.1 | Gentle breeze |
May | 7 | Gentle breeze | 11.2 | Significant breeze |
Jun | 8.5 | Gentle breeze | 12.9 | Significant breeze |
Jul | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 12.4 | Significant breeze |
Aug | 8 | Gentle breeze | 12.5 | Significant breeze |
Sep | 7.9 | Gentle breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
Oct | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
Nov | 8.4 | Gentle breeze | 12.5 | Significant breeze |
Dec | 8 | Gentle breeze | 12.1 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
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Jan | 69.6% |
Feb | 71.5% |
Mar | 68.1% |
Apr | 64.5% |
May | 56.5% |
Jun | 53.1% |
Jul | 51.7% |
Aug | 52.3% |
Sep | 57.1% |
Oct | 67.6% |
Nov | 65.9% |
Dec | 70% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Eastern Cape?
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 Eastern Cape, South Africa is September, followed by January and August. 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 Eastern Cape in March. 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 Eastern Cape Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 83.1°F (28.4°C) and 70.2°F (21.2°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 2 to 4 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 cold weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 3 days of precipitation per month. June – August is fairly slow season for tourism in Eastern Cape, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 78.4°F (25.8°C) and 72.6°F (22.6°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 2 to 5 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 Eastern Cape to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 84.7°F (29.3°C) and 76.2°F (24.6°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 4 to 5 times per month. These times of year are the busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› South Africa › Eastern Cape, South Africa