Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
Bethlehem's climate is
temperate, influenced by altitude, with mild, dry winters (during which nights are cold) and warm, sunny summers (during which thunderstorms often break out).
The city is located in the Republic of South Africa, in the Free State province, at 1,650 meters (5,400 feet) above sea level. About 40 km (25 mi) to the south lies the border with Lesotho. We are in the High Veld, the part of the plateau where the altitude exceeds 1,500 meters (4,900 feet).
At night it can get cold all year round, but especially from May to September, although during the day, under the subtropical sun, the temperature usually rises a lot. However, every now and then, as happened in August 2017, it can even snow.
During the day it can get very hot from October to March.
Bethlehem - Climate data
In Bethlehem, the
average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 7.8 °C (46.1 °F), that of the warmest month (January) is of 20.4 °C (68.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Bethlehem - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 13.4 | 27.5 | 20.4 | 56 | 82 | 68.8 |
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February | 13 | 27 | 20 | 55 | 81 | 68 |
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March | 11 | 25.6 | 18.3 | 52 | 78 | 64.9 |
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April | 6.7 | 22.8 | 14.8 | 44 | 73 | 58.6 |
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May | 2.1 | 20.2 | 11.1 | 36 | 68 | 52.1 |
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June | -1.5 | 17.6 | 8.1 | 29 | 64 | 46.6 |
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July | -2 | 17.6 | 7.8 | 28 | 64 | 46.1 |
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August | 0.7 | 20.5 | 10.6 | 33 | 69 | 51 |
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September | 4.6 | 24.3 | 14.5 | 40 | 76 | 58 |
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October | 8.3 | 25.7 | 17 | 47 | 78 | 62.6 |
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November | 10.3 | 26.3 | 18.3 | 51 | 79 | 64.9 |
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December | 12.3 | 27.3 | 19.8 | 54 | 81 | 67.6 |
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Year | 6.5 | 23.5 | 15 | 43.8 | 74.3 | 59 |
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Precipitation amounts to 700 millimeters (27.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 11 mm (0.4 in) in the driest month (June) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest ones (January, December) Here is the average precipitation.
Bethlehem - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 120 | 4.7 | 13 |
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February | 110 | 4.3 | 11 |
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March | 80 | 3.1 | 11 |
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April | 40 | 1.6 | 6 |
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May | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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June | 11 | 0.4 | 2 |
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July | 11 | 0.4 | 1 |
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August | 12 | 0.5 | 2 |
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September | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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October | 75 | 3 | 8 |
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November | 90 | 3.5 | 11 |
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December | 120 | 4.7 | 13 |
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Year | 700 | 27.6 | 84 |
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Bethlehem - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.4 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
February is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 13 °C (55.4 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
March is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.9 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in March 2007.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
April is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.8 °C (73 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in April 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
May is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.7 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in May 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in May 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
June is generally a quite mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 8.1 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of -1.5 °C (29.4 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in June 1994.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in June 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 7.8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of -2 °C (28.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 11.1 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
August is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.2 °C (13.6 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in August 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 11.8 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
September is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 4.6 °C (40.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.8 °C (21.6 °F) in September 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
October is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (47 °F) and a maximum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.9 °C (26.8 °F) in October 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 33.8 °C (92.8 °F) in October 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
November is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) in November 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 33.8 °C (92.8 °F) in November 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
December is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in December 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).