The best times to visit Rorkes Drift for ideal weather are
April 2nd to May 20th
or
August 13th to September 30th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Rorkes Drift Travel Guide
Other Rorkes Drift Travel Info
Weather in Rorkes Drift
Temperature
Average temperatures in Rorkes Drift vary somewhat. 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 61st 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 Rorkes Drift, the hottest months are February, January, and then March. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid January where highs are regularly around 88.9°F (31.6°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 62.5°F (16.9°C) at night.
Rorkes Drift Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Rorkes Drift 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.
Rorkes Drift Perceived Temperature (F)
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Rorkes Drift Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Rorkes Drift 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 | 86.5 | 71.1 | 62.1 |
Feb | 86.9 | 71.4 | 61.5 |
Mar | 85.5 | 69.9 | 60.5 |
Apr | 80.9 | 64.5 | 54.3 |
May | 81 | 62.8 | 50.1 |
Jun | 76.2 | 57.9 | 44.9 |
Jul | 75.1 | 56.7 | 43.7 |
Aug | 78.2 | 60.6 | 47.8 |
Sep | 82.4 | 64.4 | 51.8 |
Oct | 80.5 | 64.5 | 55.2 |
Nov | 82.7 | 66.4 | 57.6 |
Dec | 84.4 | 69.6 | 60.8 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
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Jan | 30.3 | 21.7 | 16.7 |
Feb | 30.5 | 21.9 | 16.4 |
Mar | 29.7 | 21.1 | 15.8 |
Apr | 27.2 | 18.1 | 12.4 |
May | 27.2 | 17.1 | 10.1 |
Jun | 24.6 | 14.4 | 7.2 |
Jul | 23.9 | 13.7 | 6.5 |
Aug | 25.7 | 15.9 | 8.8 |
Sep | 28 | 18 | 11 |
Oct | 26.9 | 18.1 | 12.9 |
Nov | 28.2 | 19.1 | 14.2 |
Dec | 29.1 | 20.9 | 16 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Rorkes Drift are May, July, and then August. 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 early to mid December with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of December 10th.
When can you find snow in Rorkes Drift? 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 Rorkes Drift.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Rorkes Drift (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 | 20% | 0 | 3.2 |
Feb | 20% | 0 | 2.5 |
Mar | 17% | 0 | 2.4 |
Apr | 10% | 0 | 1.1 |
May | 3% | 0 | 0.6 |
Jun | 7% | 0 | 0.7 |
Jul | 3% | 0 | 0.3 |
Aug | 5% | 0 | 0.4 |
Sep | 6% | 0 | 0.7 |
Oct | 20% | 0 | 2.3 |
Nov | 25% | 0 | 3.7 |
Dec | 27% | 0 | 3.6 |
Show Centimeters
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 20 | 0 | 8.1 |
Feb | 20 | 0 | 6.4 |
Mar | 17 | 0 | 6.1 |
Apr | 10 | 0 | 2.8 |
May | 3 | 0 | 1.5 |
Jun | 7 | 0 | 1.8 |
Jul | 3 | 0 | 0.8 |
Aug | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Sep | 6 | 0 | 1.8 |
Oct | 20 | 0 | 5.8 |
Nov | 25 | 0 | 9.4 |
Dec | 27 | 0 | 9.1 |
Humidity and Wind
Rorkes Drift has some slightly muggy months, with moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is June (41.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (64.5%).
Wind in Rorkes Drift is usually calm. The windiest month is November, followed by October and August. November’s average wind speed of around 4.6 knots (5.3 MPH or 8.6 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 late September where average top sustained speeds reach 8.9 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Rorkes Drift.
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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 | 4 | Light breeze | 6.7 | Light breeze |
Feb | 3.7 | Barely noticeable | 6.5 | Light breeze |
Mar | 3.5 | Barely noticeable | 6.1 | Light breeze |
Apr | 3.7 | Barely noticeable | 6.1 | Light breeze |
May | 3.9 | Barely noticeable | 6.6 | Light breeze |
Jun | 4.3 | Light breeze | 7 | Gentle breeze |
Jul | 4.1 | Light breeze | 7 | Light breeze |
Aug | 4.4 | Light breeze | 7.7 | Gentle breeze |
Sep | 4.4 | Light breeze | 8.5 | Light breeze |
Oct | 4.6 | Light breeze | 8 | Gentle breeze |
Nov | 4.6 | Light breeze | 7.9 | Light breeze |
Dec | 4.2 | Light breeze | 7.4 | Gentle breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
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Jan | 64% |
Feb | 62.4% |
Mar | 61.8% |
Apr | 58% |
May | 47.1% |
Jun | 41.9% |
Jul | 42% |
Aug | 42.8% |
Sep | 46.3% |
Oct | 59.8% |
Nov | 61.7% |
Dec | 64.5% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Rorkes Drift?
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 Rorkes Drift, South Africa is August, followed by June and March. 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 Rorkes Drift in February. 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 Rorkes Drift Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 88.9°F (31.6°C) and 79.9°F (26.6°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 5 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 comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Rorkes Drift, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 85.9°F (29.9°C) and 77.9°F (25.5°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 2 to 8 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is perfect this time of year in Rorkes Drift to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 87.5°F (30.8°C) and 82.4°F (28°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 8 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› South Africa › Rorkes Drift, South Africa