South Africa Weather Forecast
South Africa weather: 60°F, mainly clear. Hourly forecast, 14-day outlook, UV, air quality and the best time to visit.
South Africa weather in May
Weather map for South Africa
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Climate in South Africa month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 82° | 62° | 3,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 83° | 63° | 3,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 80° | 61° | 3,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 73° | 56° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 71° | 50° | 0,5 in | ★★★★★ |
| June | 66° | 44° | 0,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 69° | 44° | 0,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 74° | 48° | 0,2 in | ★★★★★ |
| September | 81° | 55° | 0,8 in | ★★★★★ |
| October | 81° | 56° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 81° | 60° | 3,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 82° | 62° | 4,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
Climate type: Mediterranean. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Best time to visit South Africa
Go in May, June, July, August, September and October. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: March, April and November - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 67°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- If your dates are flexible, avoid March, April and November - historically the least comfortable months here.
How South Africa compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against South Africa.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | 164 mi | 70°F | +37°F warmer | 18 in |
| Mozambique | 271 mi | 74°F | +41°F warmer | 38 in |
See the South Africa forecast by time range
South Africa weather - more answers
Explore South Africa
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Weather for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is South Africa?
South Africa is a country in Africa. Its coordinates are -25.7479, 28.2293. It lies in Africa.
What is the weather like in South Africa right now?
It is currently 60°F (16°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 26% and wind is 7 mph.
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
May, June, July, August, September and October offer the most comfortable conditions in South Africa, which has a Mediterranean climate. March, April and November are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is South Africa in?
South Africa observes Africa/Johannesburg (UTC+02:00). The local time is 1:56 PM.
How many people live in South Africa?
South Africa has a population of approximately 60 million.
What is the nearest airport to South Africa?
The closest airports are O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), 27 mi away and Cape Town International Airport (CPT), 809 mi away.
What are the top things to do in South Africa?
Popular options include Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, Robben Island, Boulders Beach, Camps Bay Beach and Table Mountain.
What places are in South Africa?
South Africa covers 3 places in this atlas, including Cape Town, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (countries-v1) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 1:56 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
