Climate Overview
The climate in Cape Town is temperate. The average annual temperature is 17°C and approximately 477mm of precipitation falls per year. June is the wettest month, receiving around 133mm of rainfall. Cape Town 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, February, December. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 10°C.
Temperature
Cape Town sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from 10°C to 27°C. The warmest month is January, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 10°C and an average of 13°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between January and February, with a 2°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Cape Town is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 477mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 40mm per month. The wettest month is June, averaging 133mm of rainfall. July and April also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is November, with just 7mm. That's 125mm less than June, 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
Cape Town is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 5km/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 6km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in May, with average winds dropping to 4km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 2km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
63 days until Spring
It is currently winter in Cape Town, which began on June 21, 2026. Cape Town 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 10°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 63 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 11 to 22°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 60mm over the season and a monthly average of 20mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 5km/h. Light layers work well as temperatures warm through the season — a great time to be outdoors.
Summer
Temperatures range from 16 to 27°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 48mm over the season and a monthly average of 16mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 6km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal — perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 12 to 23°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 105mm over the season and a monthly average of 35mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 4km/h. Layered clothing works best as temperatures gradually cool — enjoy the crisp air and changing scenery.
Winter
Temperatures range from 10 to 18°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 264mm for the season, averaging 88mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 4km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Cape Town is during January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 19°C with modest rainfall averaging 22mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 10°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 Cape Town 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.