Seasons of the Year Seasons in South Africa
South Africa (officially the Republic of South Africa or abbreviated to RSA) has always been one of the most beautiful places on the planet. This is a country where almost no end to the attractions you can see each person, as the variety of landscapes and activities here are limitless.
There are several climatic zones in the Republic of South Africa: deserts, locations with Mediterranean and even subtropical climate. Difference of temperature ranges and humidity levels between those zones is significant. In general seasons in the country are reverse comparing to North Hemisphere.
Summer weather lasts from October to March. At this time temperature is in quite wide between 15 and 35 °C (59-95 °F). Range of temperature at winter (June-August) is equally wide. At night temperature may drop below 0 °C (32 °F) and at noon rise to about 20 °C (68 °F) again depending on location of observation. Spring and autumn last for two months each season.
In South Africa there is no animal that with the onset of cold weather would fall into hibernation. Representatives of the local fauna generally behave the same at any time of the year. The fauna here is quite varied. Can be seen as predatory animals such as jackals, hyenas, leopards and lions and herbivorous elephants, antelopes, zebras and all kinds of monkeys.
Seasons
Contents:
Spring in South Africa
Spring weather comes to RSA with the very first days of September. Precipitation decreases and temperature rises. In coldest Cape Town air warms up to 18 °C (64 °F), in Durban to 20 °C (68 °F) and 26 °C (79 °F) in Pretoria. Both Atlantic and Indian oceans are too cold for swimming at this time. October is even warmer. Average temperatures gain several positive degrees and famous jacarandas of Pretoria start to bloom. At November average temperature gain couple more degrees while amount of precipitation decreases. It is wonderful time to travel around the Republic of South Africa.
Amount of precipitation distributed unevenly across territory of the country. In north-western regions there are about 200 mm (7.8”) of annual precipitation. Western regions receive 900 mm (35.4”) and central 400 mm (15.7”).
Climate of the Spring Months
| September Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 11.5 hours Rainy days: 0~1 day Precipitation: 8 mm (0,3") |
| October Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 15 mm (0,6") |
|
November |
(Pretoria)
Spring Holidays
Here is a list of festivals that are actively celebrated in South Africa:
September, 24 — heritage day.
October, 10 — day Kruger;
Summer in South Africa
At December hot tropical summer comes to the Republic of South Africa. Average daytime temperature is in the range between 26 °C (79 °F) in Cape Town and 28 °C (82 °F) in Pretoria and Durban. The west of the country becomes rainy but showers occur after noon with sunny half of a day before.
Rainy Season (December to February)
Main beach life is concentrated on coasts of Indian Ocean in Province of Natal. Swimming here is available year-round because temperature of water is 24 °C (75 °F) at summer and 20 °C (68 °F) at winter. Those who don’t like winds weather shouldn’t go to Cape Town at summer. “Cape-doctor” wind is usefull but slightly bothering.
Climate of the Summer Months
| December Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (60 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 2-3 days Precipitation: 37 mm (1,5") |
| January Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 2-3 days Precipitation: 37 mm (1,5") |
| February Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (60 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 33 mm (1,3") |
(Pretoria)
Summer Holidays
At this time of year accounts for most of the holidays of the countries of South Africa, including:
December, 16 — day of reconciliation;
December, 25 — Christmas day;
December, 26 — day of goodwill;
January, 1 — New year.
Autumn in South Africa
March is the last hot month of a year like some threshold of autumn. Average daytime temperature is about 25 to 28 °C (77-82 °F). It is still warm enough for swimming at March. At April water cools down but instead hunting season begins especially on baboons (to control population and protect antelopes). Also at April temperature drops by couple of degrees and occasional fogs are occurring.
At May climatic autumn comes to RSA. This month bring showers, heavy clouds and yellow on branches of trees. It is time to harvest corn, cotton and sugarcane. Temperature in Cape Town barely reaches 19 °C (66 °F) while Johannesburg and Pretoria are warmer with 22 °C (72 °F).
Climate of the Autumn Months
| March Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 1-2 days Precipitation: 21 mm (0,8") |
| April Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: 10,5 °C (51 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 1-2 days Precipitation: 10 mm (0,4") |
| May Max average t°: +22,5 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 12.5 hours Rainy days: 1-2 days Precipitation: 20 mm (0,8") |
(Pretoria)
Autumn Holidays
Before you top South African festivals, which are celebrated in the autumn:
March, 21 — the day of protection of consumer rights;
March, 29 — Holy Friday;
March, 31 — Easter.
April, 1 — family day;
April, 6 — founder's day;
April, 27 — independence day;
May, 1 — labour day;
May, 24 — Empire day;
May, 31 — Republic day.
Winter in South Africa
June, July, August in RSA is the time of winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Weather is quite unpredictable and strongly depends on location. For instance in Cape Town average temperature is about 17 °C (63 °F) while in Durban is around 21 °C (72 °F) while they are almost on the same latitude. East coasts of RSA are warmer than west by average of 6 °C in Celsius (≈11 °F on the Fahrenheit scale) due to influence of warm Agulhas current and cold Benguela current respectively. Very rarely in various parts of South Africa you can see a small short-term snowfall. This is usually a slightly cool and dry season..
Dry Season (June to August)
Visit to the country at the middle of summer is unique opportunity to see whales. At this time they are approaching shore close enough for spectating with bare eyes. Unique experience attracts lots of tourists. August is the last month of winter and it is good to visit the blooming Kalahari Desert.
Climate of the Winter Months
| June Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0~1 day Precipitation: 7 mm (0,3") |
| July Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0 day Precipitation: 3 mm (0,1") |
| August Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 0 day Precipitation: 5 mm (0,2") |
(Pretoria)
Winter Holidays
Before you top South African holidays celebrated in winter:
June, 16 — youth day;
June, 26 — day of struggle for freedom in South Africa;
July, 10 — family day.
August, 9 — national women's day.
