Climate Insights for Port Elizabeth

The climate in Port Elizabeth is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 251mm of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 33mm of rainfall. Port Elizabeth 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: July, October, December. The coldest months are October, November, September, when temperatures can drop to 6°C.

Port Elizabeth sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 6°C to 22°C. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 22°C with a mean of 15°C. October is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 6°C and an average of 12°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between July and August, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Port Elizabeth is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 251mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 21mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 33mm of rainfall. March and April also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is October, with just 0mm. That's 33mm 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.

Port Elizabeth is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 4km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 7km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 5km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 3km/h in winter, 4km/h in spring, 6km/h in summer, 3km/h in autumn.

It is currently winter in Port Elizabeth, which began on June 21, 2026. Port Elizabeth 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 July at around 22°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in October near 6°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 16 days from now.

The best time to visit Port Elizabeth is during July, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 15°C with modest rainfall averaging 33mm per month. By contrast, October can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 6°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Port Elizabeth 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.