Cape Town, South Africa
Pack for all of it
Mountains and two oceans give this city weather that can change by the hour and by the suburb. Here's how to read it.
Next 3 days
The forecast
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Automatic forecast for the city centre. Weather data from MET Norway.
The seven skies
Know which Cape Town you woke up in
The postcard day
Clear and calm
Blue sky, light wind, and the whole mountain on show.
- When
- Any time of year. Most common from November to March.
- How to spot it
- You can see every crack on Table Mountain, and flags hang loose.
- What to wear
- Sun cream, a hat and a light top for the summit. The sun burns fast here, even on a cool day.
- Watch out
- Don't save the mountain for later. A calm day can turn windy by tomorrow.
The Cape Doctor
South-easter
A strong, dry summer wind that blows the city clean.
- When
- Mostly October to March, and it can blow for days.
- How to spot it
- Sand stings on the beach, hats fly, and the bay is full of white horses.
- What to wear
- A windbreaker and sunglasses. Tie your hair back and leave the hat.
- Watch out
- The cable car often closes in strong wind, and boat trips may be cancelled. Check before you go.
Cloud pours off the mountain
The Tablecloth
White cloud spills over the flat top like a cloth over a table.
- When
- Usually with the south-easter, from spring through summer.
- How to spot it
- Clear sky over the city, with a thick white band resting on the mountain.
- What to wear
- Normal city clothes and a warm layer. It's cold and damp up inside the cloud.
- Watch out
- Skip the top of the mountain, because you'll see nothing. Watch it from below instead.
The winter soaker
Cold-front rain
Bands of rain and a north-west wind roll in off the Atlantic.
- When
- Mostly May to September. Fronts often pass in a day or two.
- How to spot it
- A hazy sky to the north-west, then cloud lowering over Lion's Head.
- What to wear
- A proper rain jacket, closed shoes and a warm layer.
- Watch out
- Stay off mountain paths and be careful on Chapman's Peak Drive. It closes when rocks are a risk.
Foghorn weather
Sea mist
Thick fog hugs the Atlantic coast while it stays sunny a few kilometres inland.
- When
- Mostly late summer and autumn mornings, on still days.
- How to spot it
- You can hear a foghorn from Mouille Point, and the top of Lion's Head pokes out above the white.
- What to wear
- A light jacket that you can take off later. It can feel 10 degrees warmer over the mountain.
- Watch out
- Don't plan Atlantic beach time or harbour views until the mist lifts.
The surprise scorcher
Hot berg wind
Hot, dry air from inland pushes the temperature well above 30 degrees.
- When
- Mostly late summer and autumn, and it can happen on a winter day just before a cold front.
- How to spot it
- Hot wind, very clear air and the mountains looking close enough to touch.
- What to wear
- Light clothes, a hat and plenty of water. Carry more than you think you need.
- Watch out
- No midday hikes. Fire risk on the mountain goes up in this weather too.
Walking weather
Soft and cloudy
Grey but dry, with little wind and gentle light for photos.
- When
- Any time of year, and most pleasant in autumn and spring.
- How to spot it
- A high, even layer of cloud. The mountain is clear and shadows are soft.
- What to wear
- Layers. You'll warm up walking and cool down fast when you stop.
- Watch out
- No need to skip much. Just check the top of the mountain before you buy a cable car ticket.
Two coasts, two weathers
When one side is bad, try the other
Atlantic side
Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay, Hout Bay. Beautiful sunsets and icy water. Sheltered from the south-easter in places, but first in line for sea mist and winter fronts.
False Bay side
Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Simon's Town. Warmer water for swimming and surfing. Takes more of the south-easter in summer, and it often stays clear when the Atlantic side is fogged in.
Month by month
When are you coming?
Jan
- Day
- 26°C
- Night
- 16°C
- Rain
- 15 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-16°C, False Bay 19-22°C
Peak summer. Long days and warm evenings, with the south-easter often blowing.
Feb
- Day
- 27°C
- Night
- 16°C
- Rain
- 17 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-16°C, False Bay 19-22°C
Often the hottest month, and usually a little calmer than January.
Mar
- Day
- 25°C
- Night
- 15°C
- Rain
- 20 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-16°C, False Bay 18-21°C
Warm and settled, with fewer crowds. Great for hiking in the early morning.
Apr
- Day
- 23°C
- Night
- 12°C
- Rain
- 41 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-15°C, False Bay 17-20°C
Golden autumn light, and harvest time in the Winelands. Sea mist is common.
May
- Day
- 20°C
- Night
- 9°C
- Rain
- 69 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-14°C, False Bay 16-18°C
First winter rain. Quiet attractions and green hills on the way.
Jun
- Day
- 18°C
- Night
- 8°C
- Rain
- 93 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-14°C, False Bay 15-17°C
Wettest month. Whales start to arrive along the coast, and there are clear days between fronts.
Jul
- Day
- 18°C
- Night
- 7°C
- Rain
- 82 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 11-14°C, False Bay 14-16°C
Cool and green. Good for wine by the fire and museums, with crisp blue days between the rain.
Aug
- Day
- 18°C
- Night
- 7°C
- Rain
- 77 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 11-14°C, False Bay 14-16°C
Waterfalls run on the mountain, and whales are easy to see from the shore at Hermanus.
Sep
- Day
- 19°C
- Night
- 9°C
- Rain
- 40 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 11-14°C, False Bay 15-17°C
Spring flowers and peak whale time. The weather changes fast, so pack for everything.
Oct
- Day
- 21°C
- Night
- 11°C
- Rain
- 30 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 11-15°C, False Bay 16-19°C
Warm days return, and whales are still around. The Cape Doctor starts to wake up.
Nov
- Day
- 24°C
- Night
- 13°C
- Rain
- 14 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-15°C, False Bay 17-20°C
Summer is starting, with long days and the last of the whales. Wind is common.
Dec
- Day
- 25°C
- Night
- 15°C
- Rain
- 17 mm
- Sea
- Atlantic 12-16°C, False Bay 18-21°C
Holiday season and busy beaches. Book popular things early.
Rough long-term averages. They tell you what's normal, and the sky may have other ideas.
On TikTok
@cape_town_daily_weather
A daily Cape Town forecast made for visitors. You get morning, lunch and afternoon on cards, a flight on the map to the best place to go that day, and the evening reveal at the very end.
Watch on TikTok