The best times to visit Harrismith for ideal weather are
October 15th to April 8th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Harrismith Travel Guide
Other Harrismith Travel Info
Weather in Harrismith
Temperature
Average temperatures in Harrismith vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some cold weeks in the winter, with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 53rd 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 Harrismith, the hottest months are February, January, and then December. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early February where highs are regularly around 80.4°F (26.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 57.4°F (14.1°C) at night.
Harrismith Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Harrismith 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.
Harrismith Perceived Temperature (F)
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Harrismith Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Harrismith 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 | 78.8 | 65 | 56.9 |
| Feb | 79 | 65.1 | 56.2 |
| Mar | 77 | 62.4 | 53.3 |
| Apr | 71.8 | 56.2 | 45.9 |
| May | 69.9 | 52.6 | 40.1 |
| Jun | 64.6 | 47.7 | 35.4 |
| Jul | 63.8 | 46.3 | 33.4 |
| Aug | 69.8 | 51.9 | 38 |
| Sep | 74.9 | 57.9 | 45.2 |
| Oct | 75.1 | 59.3 | 48.8 |
| Nov | 77.7 | 61.5 | 51.6 |
| Dec | 79.4 | 64.3 | 55.5 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 18.3 | 13.8 |
| Feb | 26.1 | 18.4 | 13.4 |
| Mar | 25 | 16.9 | 11.8 |
| Apr | 22.1 | 13.4 | 7.7 |
| May | 21.1 | 11.4 | 4.5 |
| Jun | 18.1 | 8.7 | 1.9 |
| Jul | 17.7 | 7.9 | 0.8 |
| Aug | 21 | 11.1 | 3.3 |
| Sep | 23.8 | 14.4 | 7.3 |
| Oct | 23.9 | 15.2 | 9.3 |
| Nov | 25.4 | 16.4 | 10.9 |
| Dec | 26.3 | 17.9 | 13.1 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Harrismith are July, May, and then June. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late May. For example, on the week of May 21st there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid to late November with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of November 19th.
When can you find snow in Harrismith? 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 Harrismith.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Harrismith (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 | 25% | 0 | 3.6 |
| Feb | 23% | 0 | 3.1 |
| Mar | 23% | 0 | 3.4 |
| Apr | 16% | 0 | 2 |
| May | 2% | 0 | 0.2 |
| Jun | 3% | 0 | 0.2 |
| Jul | 1% | 0 | 0.2 |
| Aug | 3% | 0 | 0.3 |
| Sep | 10% | 0 | 1.4 |
| Oct | 19% | 0 | 2.2 |
| Nov | 23% | 0 | 2.7 |
| Dec | 33% | 0 | 5.3 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25 | 0 | 9.1 |
| Feb | 23 | 0 | 7.9 |
| Mar | 23 | 0 | 8.6 |
| Apr | 16 | 0 | 5.1 |
| May | 2 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Jun | 3 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Jul | 1 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Aug | 3 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Sep | 10 | 0 | 3.6 |
| Oct | 19 | 0 | 5.6 |
| Nov | 23 | 0 | 6.9 |
| Dec | 33 | 0 | 13.5 |
Humidity and Wind
Harrismith has some humid months, and slightly dry months in the opposite season. The least humid month is August (34.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is January (68.6%).
Wind in Harrismith is usually moderate. The windiest month is June, followed by August and September. June’s average wind speed of around 8.2 knots (9.5 MPH or 15.3 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 late August to early September where average top sustained speeds reach 12.8 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Harrismith.
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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 | 5.8 | Light breeze | 9 | Gentle breeze |
| Feb | 5.7 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 5.9 | Light breeze | 8.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Apr | 5.9 | Light breeze | 8.8 | Gentle breeze |
| May | 7.1 | Gentle breeze | 10.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Jun | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 11.7 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 7.8 | Gentle breeze | 10.7 | Gentle breeze |
| Aug | 8.1 | Gentle breeze | 11.3 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 7.9 | Gentle breeze | 11.8 | Gentle breeze |
| Oct | 7.1 | Gentle breeze | 10.9 | Gentle breeze |
| Nov | 7.5 | Gentle breeze | 11.5 | Gentle breeze |
| Dec | 6.7 | Light breeze | 10.4 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 68.6% |
| Feb | 65.2% |
| Mar | 65.5% |
| Apr | 60.2% |
| May | 43.7% |
| Jun | 38.9% |
| Jul | 38% |
| Aug | 34.2% |
| Sep | 39.4% |
| Oct | 55.5% |
| Nov | 58% |
| Dec | 63.5% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Harrismith?
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 Harrismith, South Africa is July, followed by June 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 Harrismith in November. 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 Harrismith Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 78.3°F (25.7°C) and 68°F (20°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 1 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 0 to 1 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Harrismith, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 79.7°F (26.5°C) and 73.5°F (23.1°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 3 to 7 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Harrismith to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 80.4°F (26.9°C) and 77.9°F (25.5°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 6 to 10 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› South Africa › Harrismith, South Africa