Climate Overview
The climate in Phalaborwa is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 23°C and approximately 414mm of precipitation falls per year. February is the wettest month, receiving around 104mm of rainfall. Phalaborwa 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: December, November, January. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 12°C.
Temperature
Phalaborwa sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 12°C to 32°C. The warmest month is December, when average highs reach 32°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 12°C and an average of 18°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 12°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Phalaborwa is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 414mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 34mm per month. The wettest month is February, averaging 104mm of rainfall. December and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 2mm. That's 102mm less than February, 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.
Wind
Phalaborwa is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 17km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is October, averaging 20km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 14km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 16km/h in winter, 19km/h in spring, 19km/h in summer, 15km/h in autumn.
Seasons
3 days until Autumn
It is currently winter in Phalaborwa, which began on June 21, 2026. Phalaborwa 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 December at around 32°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 12°C. Autumn is next, beginning on March 20, 2026 — 3 days from now.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Phalaborwa is during April, May, June, July, August, September and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 12mm per month. By contrast, December can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 32°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Phalaborwa 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.