Climate Insights for Aliwal North

The climate in Aliwal North is temperate. The average annual temperature is 16°C and approximately 716mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 115mm of rainfall. Aliwal North 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: January, December, February. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 0°C.

Temperatures in Aliwal North vary considerably across the year, with a 30°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is January, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 22°C. The coldest month is July, when overnight lows fall to 0°C and the daily average is 8°C. The average daily temperature swing is 16°C, meaning significant differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. The sharpest temperature change occurs between August and September, with a 4°C shift in average temperatures.

Aliwal North is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 716mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 60mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 115mm of rainfall. December and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 11mm. That's 104mm 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.

Aliwal North is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 11km/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 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 9km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Aliwal North, which began on June 21, 2026. Aliwal North 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 January at around 30°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 0°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (8 days from now).

The best time to visit Aliwal North is during March, April, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 73mm per month. By contrast, January can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 30°C, while July is the coldest period with lows dropping to 0°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Aliwal North 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.