Cape Town weather by month

When to go to Cape Town

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February. June is the wettest month (92 mm, about 10 rainy days) and February the driest (11 mm). The sea is warmest in February at 18.4°C and coolest in July at 14.3°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Cape Town International Airport (CPT, 18 km from Cape Town) takes roughly 12 h 48 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Africa/Johannesburg.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Cape Town between 1991 and 2020 reached 36.3°C on 4 January 2004; the coldest fell to 2.8°C on 17 July 1996. In February one day in ten tops 30.5°C and about 13% of days pass 30°C; in July one night in ten drops to 6.4°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was July 2001 with 206 mm, against a July average of 84 mm.

Summer: December to February

Summer suits travellers who want long sunny spells and warm weather for spending time outdoors. December brings daytime averages of 24°C, rising to 26°C in January and February. January has 11 hours of sunshine a day on average, so plan some shade around midday rather than treating every sunny hour as walking time. February is the driest month, making it the strongest choice if avoiding rain matters most. Light daytime clothing should work well, with a layer for evenings as nights average 16°C in December and 18°C in February. The main compromise is swimming: the sea stays cool even during the warmest weather.

Autumn: March to May

March keeps much of summer's appeal without quite the same daytime warmth: averages of 24°C suit travellers who prefer being active outdoors. With 3 rainy days on average, it remains a good choice for plans that depend on dry weather. April is a gentler middle ground at 22°C, though cooler evenings make an extra layer useful. By May, daytime averages fall to 19°C and rain becomes more frequent, so leave room to rearrange outdoor plans. Swimming becomes less appealing as the sea drops from 17°C in March to 15°C in April and May. Choose early autumn for the better balance of warmth and dry days.

Winter and spring: June to November

June to August is the least suitable period for a warm, dry holiday. June averages 17°C by day, while July and August sit at 16°C; July nights average 9°C, making warm layers useful after dark. June and August each average 10 rainy days, so pack a waterproof and keep outdoor plans flexible. There can still be sunshine, but this is not the season to choose for reliable warmth. Spring improves gradually rather than suddenly. September remains cool at 18°C, and its 14°C sea offers little incentive for casual swimming. October reaches 20°C with less frequent rain, making outdoor days easier to plan. November is the stronger spring option at 22°C, with 9 hours of sunshine and a lighter clothing load, though evenings still call for a layer.