The best times to visit Port Elizabeth for ideal weather are
October 29th to March 25th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Port Elizabeth Travel Guide
Other Port Elizabeth Travel Info
Weather in Port Elizabeth
Temperature
Average temperatures in Port Elizabeth vary little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel very enjoyable all year with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is more temperate than most — in the 75th 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 Port Elizabeth, the hottest months are January, February, and then March. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late January where highs are regularly around 81.8°F (27.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 63.8°F (17.7°C) at night.
Port Elizabeth Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Port Elizabeth 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.
Port Elizabeth Perceived Temperature (F)
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Port Elizabeth Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Port Elizabeth 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 | 80 | 70.7 | 63.4 |
| Feb | 80.1 | 70.5 | 63.3 |
| Mar | 79.2 | 68.9 | 61.3 |
| Apr | 75.8 | 64.4 | 55.5 |
| May | 73.9 | 61.9 | 52.2 |
| Jun | 70.3 | 58.1 | 47 |
| Jul | 69.4 | 57.5 | 47 |
| Aug | 70.5 | 58.6 | 48.4 |
| Sep | 70.4 | 60.1 | 50.6 |
| Oct | 71.2 | 62.8 | 55.2 |
| Nov | 74.2 | 64.9 | 57.3 |
| Dec | 76.7 | 68.2 | 60.7 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26.7 | 21.5 | 17.4 |
| Feb | 26.7 | 21.4 | 17.4 |
| Mar | 26.2 | 20.5 | 16.3 |
| Apr | 24.3 | 18 | 13.1 |
| May | 23.3 | 16.6 | 11.2 |
| Jun | 21.3 | 14.5 | 8.3 |
| Jul | 20.8 | 14.2 | 8.3 |
| Aug | 21.4 | 14.8 | 9.1 |
| Sep | 21.3 | 15.6 | 10.3 |
| Oct | 21.8 | 17.1 | 12.9 |
| Nov | 23.4 | 18.3 | 14.1 |
| Dec | 24.8 | 20.1 | 15.9 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Port Elizabeth are January, December, 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 mid February. For example, on the week of February 19th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in late June with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of June 25th.
When can you find snow in Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Port Elizabeth (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 | 8% | 0 | 0.9 |
| Feb | 13% | 0 | 1.5 |
| Mar | 13% | 0 | 2.5 |
| Apr | 17% | 0 | 2.6 |
| May | 11% | 0 | 2 |
| Jun | 18% | 0 | 3.3 |
| Jul | 20% | 0 | 3.2 |
| Aug | 13% | 0 | 1.9 |
| Sep | 12% | 0 | 1.1 |
| Oct | 17% | 0 | 2.8 |
| Nov | 17% | 0 | 2.5 |
| Dec | 11% | 0 | 1.4 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 | 0 | 2.3 |
| Feb | 13 | 0 | 3.8 |
| Mar | 13 | 0 | 6.4 |
| Apr | 17 | 0 | 6.6 |
| May | 11 | 0 | 5.1 |
| Jun | 18 | 0 | 8.4 |
| Jul | 20 | 0 | 8.1 |
| Aug | 13 | 0 | 4.8 |
| Sep | 12 | 0 | 2.8 |
| Oct | 17 | 0 | 7.1 |
| Nov | 17 | 0 | 6.4 |
| Dec | 11 | 0 | 3.6 |
Humidity and Wind
Port Elizabeth has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is June (60.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is February (71.6%).
Wind in Port Elizabeth is usually moderate. The windiest month is November, followed by October and September. November’s average wind speed of around 12 knots (13.8 MPH or 22.3 KPH) is considered “a moderate breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early November where average top sustained speeds reach 21.5 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Port Elizabeth.
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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 | 11.3 | Significant breeze | 19.3 | Strong breeze |
| Feb | 11 | Significant breeze | 18.9 | Strong breeze |
| Mar | 10.7 | Gentle breeze | 19 | Strong breeze |
| Apr | 9.7 | Gentle breeze | 17.3 | Strong breeze |
| May | 8.7 | Gentle breeze | 16.6 | Strong breeze |
| Jun | 9.3 | Gentle breeze | 17.1 | Strong breeze |
| Jul | 9.2 | Gentle breeze | 17.1 | Strong breeze |
| Aug | 10 | Gentle breeze | 18.7 | Strong breeze |
| Sep | 11.4 | Significant breeze | 20.5 | Strong breeze |
| Oct | 11.7 | Significant breeze | 20.1 | Strong breeze |
| Nov | 12 | Significant breeze | 20.3 | Strong breeze |
| Dec | 11 | Significant breeze | 18.9 | Strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 70.7% |
| Feb | 71.6% |
| Mar | 71.1% |
| Apr | 67.6% |
| May | 66% |
| Jun | 60.9% |
| Jul | 61.5% |
| Aug | 64.5% |
| Sep | 66.6% |
| Oct | 71.2% |
| Nov | 68.6% |
| Dec | 71.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth, 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 Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 81.8°F (27.7°C) and 71.2°F (21.8°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 4 to 5 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 comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 4 to 6 days of precipitation per month. June – August is fairly slow season for tourism in Port Elizabeth, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly less.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 75.4°F (24.1°C) and 70°F (21.1°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 3 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 Port Elizabeth to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 81.8°F (27.7°C) and 74.7°F (23.7°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 3 to 4 times per month. These times of year are the busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› South Africa › Port Elizabeth, South Africa