Climate Insights for Pietermaritzburg

The climate in Pietermaritzburg is cold. The average annual temperature is 1°C and approximately 171mm of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 33mm of rainfall. Pietermaritzburg 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: March, April, February. The coldest months are December, November, October, when temperatures can drop to -18°C. Snowfall occurs from August to December, with around 127cm accumulating over the season.

Temperatures in Pietermaritzburg vary considerably across the year, with a 27°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. March is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 9°C with a mean of 6°C. December brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -18°C and an average temperature of -13°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 4°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 9°C shift in average temperatures.

Pietermaritzburg is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 171mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 14mm per month. The wettest month is October, averaging 33mm of rainfall. November and December also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 0mm. That's 33mm less than October, 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. Snowfall is a regular feature from August to December, with around 127cm accumulating over the season. October typically sees the most snow at around 33cm.

Pietermaritzburg is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 7km/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 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in April, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 8km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans.

It is currently winter in Pietermaritzburg, which began on June 21, 2026. Pietermaritzburg 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 March at around 9°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in December near -18°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 16 days from now.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Pietermaritzburg 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. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. 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.