Weather in Pretoria

January is the warmest month (average 24.5°C, high 31.2°C) and July is the coolest (average 13.5°C, low 5.1°C). That 11.0°C swing in monthly averages is the first thing to plan around in Pretoria.

Rain is rainy season runs from November to March, inside an annual total of 571 mm. The wettest month is January at 115 mm; the driest is July at 2 mm. Pretoria is in South Africa at 25.7°S. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a Mediterranean pattern: dry summers and wetter winters. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are May, August, and September.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are May, August, and September: May (16.8°C average, 12 mm, 50% humidity); August (16.7°C average, 5 mm, 39% humidity); September (20.7°C average, 13 mm, 35% humidity). They fall in calendar order. 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 rainy season itself — fewer crowds, greener landscape, heavier rain — aim at November–March instead of the score.

Hot and cool months in Pretoria

Pretoria has a 11.0°C gap between its coolest monthly average (13.5°C in July) and its warmest (24.5°C in January). That is a southern-hemisphere pattern.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 28.1°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; January nights still hold 17.7°C.

Rain through the year

The rainy season in Pretoria starts in November and ends in March (November, December, January, February, and March). January is the core of it at 115 mm. July is the other extreme, with 2 mm.

Humidity peaks near 60%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

The calendar in Pretoria

January is both the hottest and wettest month: highs around 31.2°C, 115 mm of rain, and 60% humidity. The year bottoms out in July. Plan for 5.1°C at night and 21.8°C in the afternoon.

August stands apart from the months beside it: 25.5°C / 7.8°C and 5 mm. September brings 13 mm and 2 rainy days; temperatures run from 11.6°C to 29.8°C.

Pretoria and other cities in South Africa

Johannesburg is about 53 km away: Pretoria is 2.7°C warmer than Johannesburg in its hottest month and 71 mm drier over the year than Johannesburg. Johannesburg’s wettest month is December (127 mm) versus January here.

Soweto is about 67 km away: Pretoria is 2.4°C warmer than Soweto in its hottest month and a similar annual rainfall (586 mm in Soweto). Soweto’s wettest month is December (118 mm) versus January here.

Durban is about 536 km away: Pretoria is 0.5°C cooler than Durban in its hottest month and 316 mm drier over the year than Durban. Durban’s wettest month is November (122 mm) versus January here.