Cape Town Weather & Climate

Summer in Cape Town usually means long hot days and warm evenings, but with the Mother City's unpredictable weather it's best to always be prepared: always carry a warm top so that when the sun does eventually set it's only your drink that will be chilled.

The city's unique positioning on the Cape Peninsula means Cape Town really can experience four seasons in a day. On one side of the mountain the sun may be shining with people lazing about on the beach, while on the other it may well be raining.

As for the mountain, it may be sweltering on the ground but the weather can change in minutes on top so always go prepared. The African sun can be vicious so a sun hat and sun block are vital if you still want to party in the evening without looking like an over-ripe tomato wrapped in Diesel jeans.

The upshot is that Cape Town's generally Mediterranean climate is temperate. This means that the best time to travel to Cape Town could be any time of the year.

Summers in the Mother City are hot and windy. This is when the south easter, fondly called the Cape Doctor by locals and famous for the tablecloth that regularly covers Table Mountain, blows the pollution away in the early summer months of November to January. February and March bring the hottest days with the least wind. The summer rush is usually over by then, so this is a good time to visit.

The winters can be cold and wet but not unbearably so, and there are plenty of sunny days to break up the Cape's much-needed rainfall. So celebrate the rain, find a roaring fire to drink some gluwhein in front of and remember that the sun is just around the corner.

Springtime (from August to October) heralds the arrival of the Cape's spectacular flower season, as well as being the season when the whales move into the local waters, so get outdoors and take your camera. Once again be prepared for all weather conditions - your best approach is to wear plenty of layers.

Average Temperatures:

Summer: 15°C - 27°C (59°F - 80.6°F)

Note that this is an average only and that temperatures regularly reach into the 30's in summer.

Winter: 7 - 18 degrees Celsius (44.6° - 64.4°F)

Likewise for winter, shorts and T-shirts are not an uncommon sight on the balmier days.

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