Cape Town weather
World cities · South Africa · 33.92°S 18.42°E
Cape Town, in South Africa, has its warmest weather in January, when daytime temperatures average 25.8°C, while August nights are the coldest at around 9.5°C. The city sees roughly 716mm of rain a year; June is normally the wettest month and February the driest. Figures are averaged from 2020–2024 observations.
Climate averages
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.8° | 17.3° | 16mm | 3 |
| Feb | 25.8° | 17.3° | 13mm | 3 |
| Mar | 23.9° | 16° | 45mm | 5 |
| Apr | 21.9° | 14.1° | 35mm | 5 |
| May | 19.3° | 12° | 77mm | 8 |
| Jun | 18.1° | 11.3° | 144mm | 11 |
| Jul | 16.3° | 9.6° | 137mm | 11 |
| Aug | 16.3° | 9.5° | 109mm | 12 |
| Sep | 17.5° | 10.6° | 56mm | 8 |
| Oct | 21.5° | 13.2° | 26mm | 6 |
| Nov | 22.6° | 14.5° | 27mm | 7 |
| Dec | 23.6° | 16° | 31mm | 5 |
Seasons in Cape Town
Spring (September–November). Daytime highs in Cape Town climb from 17.5°C in September to 22.6°C by November, while nights ease from 10.6°C to 14.5°C. The season brings around 109mm of rain in total.
Summer (December–February). The warmest stretch of the year: afternoons average 25.1°C, peaking in January at 25.8°C. February is usually the driest of the summer months (13mm over ~3 rainy days). Around the December solstice, Cape Town gets roughly 14.3 hours of daylight.
Autumn (March–May). Daytime temperatures fall from 23.9°C in March to 19.3°C by May, with around 157mm of rain across the season.
Winter (June–August). Nights average 10.1°C, with August the coldest month (average low 9.5°C, daytime high 16.3°C). Expect about 34 days with measurable rain over the three months, and only around 9.7 hours of daylight in mid-June.
How Cape Town compares
| Cape Town | UK town average | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual rainfall | 716mm | 1054mm |
| Rainy days per year | 84 | 167 |
| Summer daytime high | 25.1°C | 19.7°C |
| Winter night low | 10.1°C | 3.4°C |
Cape Town is about 32% drier than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm), based on 2020–2024 monthly normals.
Cape Town weather FAQs
What is the warmest month in Cape Town?
January is typically the warmest month in Cape Town, with average daytime highs of 25.8°C. Summer afternoons (December–February) average around 25.1°C.
What is the wettest month in Cape Town?
June is usually the wettest month, with around 144mm of rain over roughly 11 rainy days. February is typically the driest (13mm).
How much does it rain in Cape Town per year?
Cape Town receives roughly 716mm of precipitation per year, spread over about 84 days with at least 1mm of rain (based on 2020–2024 observations).
How cold are winters in Cape Town?
Winter nights (June–August) in Cape Town average around 10.1°C, with August typically the coldest month (average low 9.5°C).
When is the best time to visit Cape Town for good weather?
Late spring and summer offer the most reliable weather in Cape Town. February is typically the driest of the warm months (13mm of rain), while January is the warmest, averaging 25.8°C by day — and near the December solstice there are around 14 hours of daylight to enjoy.
How does Cape Town's weather compare with the UK?
Cape Town receives 716mm of rain a year, about 32% drier than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm). Summer daytime highs average 25.1°C against a UK-town average of 19.7°C, and winter nights average 10.1°C versus 3.4°C.