Climate Insights for Pietermaritzburg

The climate in Pietermaritzburg is temperate. The average annual temperature is 18°C and approximately 964mm of precipitation falls per year. December is the wettest month, receiving around 151mm 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: January, March, February. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 7°C.

Pietermaritzburg sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 7°C to 27°C. The warmest month is January, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 21°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 7°C and an average of 13°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 12°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between May and June, with a 3°C shift in average temperatures.

Pietermaritzburg is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 964mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 80mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 151mm of rainfall. January and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is June, with just 11mm. That's 140mm less than December, 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.

Pietermaritzburg is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 14km/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 15km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

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 January at around 27°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 7°C. Autumn is next, beginning on March 20, 2026 — 3 days from now.

The best time to visit Pietermaritzburg is during March, April, May, September and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 75mm per month. By contrast, January can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 27°C, while July is the coldest period with lows dropping to 7°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 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. 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.