Weather in Cape Town

Rain is wet season runs from June to August, inside an annual total of 489 mm. The wettest month is June at 91 mm; the driest is February at 9 mm.

Cape Town is in South Africa at 33.9°S. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a humid subtropical climate. February is the warmest month (average 20.4°C, high 22.1°C) and August is the coolest (average 14.3°C, low 13.0°C). On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are December, January, and February.

Rain through the year

The wet season in Cape Town starts in June and ends in August (June, July, and August). June is the core of it at 91 mm. February is the other extreme, with 9 mm.

Humidity peaks near 81%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

Temperature through the year

Monthly average highs run from 15.7°C in August to 22.1°C in February. Nights follow the same curve: 13.0°C in August and 18.7°C in February.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 18.8°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; February nights still hold 18.7°C.

What stands out month by month

Peak heat arrives in February: 22.1°C by day, 18.7°C at night, and 79% humidity. June is when the wet season typically starts in Cape Town: highs near 16.5°C, and rainfall jumps to 91 mm (12 rainy days).

August closes the wet season: 76 mm over 12 rainy days, then the calendar dries.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are December, January, and February: December (19.1°C average, 12 mm, 78% humidity); January (20.2°C average, 14 mm, 78% humidity); February (20.4°C average, 9 mm, 79% humidity). Those months sit across the year end, so they are listed in season order rather than January-to-December. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you want the wet season itself — fewer crowds, greener landscape, heavier rain — aim at June–August instead of the score.

Cape Town and other cities in South Africa

Soweto is about 1243 km away: Cape Town is 1.7°C cooler than Soweto in its hottest month and 97 mm drier over the year than Soweto. Soweto’s wettest month is December (118 mm) versus June here.

Johannesburg is about 1262 km away: Cape Town is 1.4°C cooler than Johannesburg in its hottest month and 154 mm drier over the year than Johannesburg. Johannesburg’s wettest month is December (127 mm) versus June here.

Durban is about 1272 km away: Cape Town is 4.6°C cooler than Durban in its hottest month and 399 mm drier over the year than Durban. Durban’s wettest month is November (122 mm) versus June here.