Climate - Durban (South Africa)

Durban's climate is subtropical, with very mild, fairly dry winters and hot, rainy summers.
The city is located in the Republic of South Africa, at 30 degrees south latitude, on the east coast.
The sea is warm enough for swimming from December to May, but overall it is also acceptable in winter.
Infrequently, as part of the southern Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season, from December to mid-April, a cyclone may directly impact the South African coast, from Durban to the Mozambique border, as occurred in late January 1984 with Tropical Storm Domoina, and in April 2022 with the subtropical depression Issa.

Best Time

Having a good climate, Durban can be visited all year round.
To visit the city, you may prefer winter, from mid-May to August, as it is the driest and sunniest season, and the temperatures are pleasant.
For a beach holiday in Durban you can choose the summer, from December to March. It must be said that this is the rainiest season, as well as the muggiest, moreover, even if very rarely, a tropical cyclone can arrive.
In April, the rains are a little rarer, but sometimes it can get a little cool at night.

Durban - Climate data

In Durban, the average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of 17.4 °C (63.4 °F), that of the warmest month (February) is of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Durban, precipitation amounts to 1010 millimeters (39.8 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 25 mm (1 in) in the driest month (July) to 130 mm (5.1 in) in the wettest one (February). Here is the average precipitation.
At Durban, the sea temperature ranges from 22 °C (72 °F) in August, September to 26.5 °C (80 °F) in February, March. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Durban, there are on average around 2365 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Durban - Weather by month

Based on the period 1998-2020

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In January, the weather in Durban is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21 °C (69.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% 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 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In February, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Durban is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.3 °C (70.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% 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 26.5 °C (80 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In March, the weather in Durban is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In April, the weather in Durban is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.4 °C (81.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Durban is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.1 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Durban is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.9 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 24.8 °C (76.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In July, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Durban is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.4 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.1 °C (75.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Durban is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.7 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13 °C (55.3 °F) and a maximum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (46 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Durban is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.0 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) and a maximum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Durban is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F) and a maximum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% 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 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Durban is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (80 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Durban is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% 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 25 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.