Climate - Cape Town (South Africa)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Cape Town
The climate of Cape Town is Mediterranean, with very mild, rainy winters and warm to hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in the South African Republic, on the southwest coast.
In summer, temperatures are not excessively high because of the influence of the ocean, though sometimes a hot and dry wind called Berg, able to raise the temperature to around 35 °C (95 °F), blows from the mountains. On the contrary, a strong southern breeze called Cape Doctor often blows in summer, cooling and cleaning the air. Above the top of Table Mountain, the flat-topped mountain overlooking the city, about a thousand meters (3,300 feet) high, a layer of clouds often forms, which the city's inhabitants call in a colloquial manner "tablecloth".
Even though the winter is mild, there can be some cold and windy days. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature can drop to around freezing. At other times, the warm wind from the northern mountains can blow in this season as well, so much so that the temperature can reach 30 °C (86 °F) even in winter.
Cape Town - Climate data
In Cape Town, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 13.0 °C (55.3 °F), that of the warmest month (February) is of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.Cape Town - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 16.5 | 28 | 22.2 | 62 | 82 | 72 |
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| February | 16.4 | 28.4 | 22.4 | 62 | 83 | 72.3 |
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| March | 14.9 | 27 | 21 | 59 | 81 | 69.7 |
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| April | 12 | 24.7 | 18.4 | 54 | 76 | 65 |
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| May | 10.1 | 21.7 | 15.9 | 50 | 71 | 60.6 |
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| June | 7.8 | 19.1 | 13.5 | 46 | 66 | 56.3 |
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| July | 7.2 | 18.7 | 13 | 45 | 66 | 55.3 |
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| August | 7.7 | 19.1 | 13.4 | 46 | 66 | 56.1 |
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| September | 9.2 | 20.5 | 14.9 | 49 | 69 | 58.8 |
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| October | 11.3 | 23.3 | 17.3 | 52 | 74 | 63.1 |
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| November | 13.3 | 24.6 | 19 | 56 | 76 | 66.2 |
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| December | 15.4 | 26.7 | 21.1 | 60 | 80 | 70 |
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| Year | 11.8 | 23.5 | 17.6 | 53.2 | 74.2 | 63.5 |
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In Cape Town, precipitation amounts to 505 millimeters (19.9 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 8 mm (0.3 in) in the driest month (February) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest ones (May, July) Here is the average precipitation.Cape Town - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 12 | 0.5 | 2 |
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| February | 8 | 0.3 | 2 |
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| March | 17 | 0.7 | 3 |
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| April | 45 | 1.8 | 6 |
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| May | 85 | 3.3 | 9 |
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| June | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
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| July | 85 | 3.3 | 10 |
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| August | 70 | 2.8 | 10 |
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| September | 45 | 1.8 | 7 |
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| October | 30 | 1.2 | 5 |
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| November | 17 | 0.7 | 3 |
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| December | 11 | 0.4 | 2 |
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| Year | 505 | 19.9 | 68 |
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At Cape Town, the sea temperature ranges from 15 °C (59 °F) in July, August to 19.5 °C (67 °F) in January, February. Here are the average sea temperatures.Cape Town - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 19.5 | 67 | February | 19.5 | 67 | March | 18.5 | 66 | April | 17.5 | 63 | May | 16.5 | 62 | June | 15.5 | 60 | July | 15 | 59 | August | 15 | 59 | September | 15.5 | 60 | October | 16 | 61 | November | 17 | 63 | December | 18.5 | 65 | Year | 17 | 62.5 |
In Cape Town, there are on average around 3095 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Cape Town - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 11 | 340 | February | 10.5 | 295 | March | 9.5 | 295 | April | 8 | 235 | May | 6.5 | 205 | June | 6 | 175 | July | 6 | 195 | August | 7 | 210 | September | 7.5 | 225 | October | 9 | 280 | November | 10.5 | 310 | December | 11 | 335 | Year | 8.5 | 3095 |
Cape Town - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Cape Town is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.8 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 12 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In February, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Cape Town is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.4 °C (61.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in February 2000.
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In March, the weather in Cape Town is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 17 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
In April, the weather in Cape Town is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in April 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 70% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In May, the weather in Cape Town is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.1 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.6 °C (92.5 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In June, the weather in Cape Town is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.8 °C (46.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in June 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In July, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Cape Town is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in July 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30.3 °C (86.5 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In August, the weather in Cape Town is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in August 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In September, the weather in Cape Town is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in September 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.9 °C (93 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In October, the weather in Cape Town is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.3 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (74 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in October 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In November, the weather in Cape Town is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in November 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 17 mm (0.7 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
In December, the weather in Cape Town is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.1 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in December 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 39.1 °C (102.4 °F) in December 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
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