Climate Insights for Windhoek

The climate in Windhoek is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 19°C and approximately 414mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 130mm of rainfall. Windhoek 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: November, December, October. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 5°C.

Temperatures in Windhoek vary considerably across the year, with a 26°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is November, when average highs reach 31°C and the mean temperature sits around 24°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 5°C and an average of 13°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 15°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between August and September, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.

Windhoek is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 414mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 34mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 130mm of rainfall. February and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 0mm. That's 130mm less than January, the wettest month. 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.

Windhoek is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 18km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 21km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in March, with average winds dropping to 16km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 5km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently autumn in Windhoek, which began on March 20, 2026. Windhoek 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 November at around 31°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 5°C. Winter is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Windhoek is during March, April, May, August, September, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 22mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 5°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Windhoek 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.