Climate Insights for Soweto

The climate in Soweto is temperate. The average annual temperature is 18°C and approximately 763mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 143mm of rainfall. Soweto 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: February, October, January. The coldest months are July, June, August, when temperatures can drop to 3°C.

Temperatures in Soweto vary considerably across the year, with a 25°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is February, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 22°C. July is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 10°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 13°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Soweto is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 763mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 64mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 143mm of rainfall. December and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 0mm. That's 142mm 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.

Soweto is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 3km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 4km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in April, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently winter in Soweto, which began on June 21, 2026. Soweto 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 February at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in July near 3°C. Spring is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 53 days from now.

The best time to visit Soweto is during February, March, April, September and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 56mm per month. By contrast, July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 3°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 Soweto 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.