Cape Town Weather

The Cape peninsula consists of a dramatic mountainous spine jutting southwards, lying between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, ending at Cape Point. The Cape Peninsula enjoys mild winters and pleasant summers, much like a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. This Mediterranean weather explains why Cape Town has become a favoured site for foreign film crews escaping the harsh cold Northern Hemisphere winter. Cape Town has several micro climates occurring on any given day which is the result of the awesome topography. It is always advisable to take a look at our detailed Cape Town weather forecast before taking a journey.

Summers, which last from November through February, are hot and dry, and the Peninsula gets frequent strong winds from the south-east known as the Cape Doctor (the local name for the strong southeast wind that blows along the Cape Town coast and clears the area of pollution). The south easterly wind is caused by a high-pressure system which sits in the South Atlantic to the west of Cape Town. Summer temperatures range from around 14 to 30 degrees Celsius, with an average maximum of 26°C or 79°F. If a SE wind is blowing and you’re seeking a tan on a sheltered beach, then Clifton and Boulders are a sheltered good choice.

Whilst in the winter months , which lasts from June through August, large cold fronts come across from the Atlantic Ocean with heavy precipitation and strong north-westerly winds, average temperatures are between 6 to 21 degrees Celsius. Most of the Peninsulas annual rainfall occurs in wintertime, but due to the mountainous topography of the Peninsula, rainfall amounts for specific areas can vary dramatically. Cape Town winter weather can also be also produce perfect hot days, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius. This is known as the "Secret Season” because of all the secret pleasures to be experienced!

The best time to visit Cape Town is during the long hot summer months from November to March, the weather becomes soft and gentle in the transition to autumn with the Cape still experiencing 30 degree days late into April. Eleven hours of sunshine with stunning warm dry evenings sets the party mood. Although spring from September to October and autumn from April to May are very smart times to visit Cape Town. The weather is usually soft and gentle in-between seasons, with little wind and nature is at its showiest. The flowers along the West Coast, whale-watching in Hermanus or seeing all the different colours of the vineyards make the Cape a great place to be in. See our detailed Cape Weather forecast.