Climate Insights for Richards Bay

The climate in Richards Bay is hot. The average annual temperature is 25°C and approximately 260mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 33mm of rainfall. Richards Bay 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: April, March, May. The coldest months are November, December, October, when temperatures can drop to 22°C.

Richards Bay has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 7°C range. The warmest month is April, when average highs reach 29°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. November is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 22°C and an average of 22°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 1°C between highs and lows.

Richards Bay is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 260mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 22mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 33mm of rainfall. February and March also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is October, with just 1mm. That's 32mm 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.

Richards Bay 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 February, averaging 8km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, 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 6km/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 2km/h in winter, 3km/h in spring, 6km/h in summer, 3km/h in autumn.

It is currently winter in Richards Bay, which began on June 21, 2026. Richards Bay 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 April at around 29°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in November near 22°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 16 days from now.

The best time to visit Richards Bay is during September, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 23°C with modest rainfall averaging 6mm per month. By contrast, April can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 29°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Richards Bay 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.