Climate Insights for Swakopmund

The climate in Swakopmund is temperate. The average annual temperature is 18°C and approximately 14mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 6mm of rainfall. Swakopmund is in the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons are reversed — summer runs from December to February, while winter falls between June and August. The summer months are: May, February, March. The coldest months are August, September, July, when temperatures can drop to 11°C.

Swakopmund sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 11°C to 24°C. May is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 24°C with a mean of 18°C. August is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 11°C and an average of 15°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows.

Swakopmund is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 14mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 1mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 6mm of rainfall. February and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 0mm. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Swakopmund is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 24km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 25km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 23km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently autumn in Swakopmund, which began on March 20, 2026. Swakopmund is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed — spring starts in September, summer in December, autumn in March, and winter in June. The warmest period peaks in May at around 24°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in August near 11°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Swakopmund is during January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 1mm per month. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Swakopmund based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.