South Africa’s climate is a remarkable patchwork of systems. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are reversed relative to the Northern Hemisphere, but the country's vast size—spanning nearly 35 degrees of latitude—means you can experience Mediterranean rains, subtropical humidity, and arid desert heat all in the same month.
Typical Weather Patterns and Rainfall Zones
The most critical distinction in South African weather is the rainfall pattern.
- The Winter Rainfall Region (Southwest): Centered around Cape Town and the Western Cape, this area has a Mediterranean climate. Winters are wet and cool, while summers are dry and windy.
- The Summer Rainfall Region (Interior and East): This covers the vast majority of the country, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Kruger National Park. Here, winters are bone-dry and sunny, while summers are characterized by dramatic, late-afternoon thunderstorms.
- The All-Year Rainfall Region (Garden Route): A narrow strip along the southern coast between the Western and Eastern Cape receives moderate rain throughout the year.
Seasonal Trends
Summer (December – February)
Summers are generally hot. In the interior (Highveld), temperatures often reach 30°C (86°F), but the altitude (Johannesburg is at 1,753m) keeps the heat from being oppressive. Afternoons frequently culminate in "electrifying" thunderstorms that clear the air quickly. On the East Coast (Durban), summer is subtropical: high humidity and warm ocean temperatures make it feel much hotter. Conversely, Cape Town is dry and famous for the "South-Easter" wind, which creates the "Table Cloth" cloud effect over Table Mountain.
Autumn (March – May)
Often considered the most settled season, autumn brings mild, clear days nationwide. In the Cape Winelands, the vineyards turn deep amber. For safari-goers in the north, the lush summer bush begins to thin, making wildlife easier to spot as temperatures become more comfortable.
Winter (June – August)
In the interior and safari regions, winter days are crisp, clear, and sunny (around 20°C/68°F), but nights are cold, frequently dropping below freezing on the Highveld and in the Karoo. In the Southwest, this is the wet season—expect grey skies and steady rain. Snow is common on high mountain ranges like the Drakensberg and the Hex River Mountains.
Spring (September – November)
Spring is the season of transformation. The Northern Cape and West Coast explode into a carpet of wildflowers. In the north, the "Jacaranda city" of Pretoria turns purple. Temperatures rise quickly, and the first summer rains begin to break the long winter drought in the interior.
Regional Variations and Microclimates
- The Escarpment: The Great Escarpment separates the high interior plateau from the coastal lowlands. This drastic change in elevation creates mist belts and high-rainfall zones, particularly in the Drakensberg.
- Coastal Currents: The climate is heavily influenced by two oceans. The warm Agulhas Current on the east coast keeps Durban tropical, while the icy Benguela Current on the west coast keeps the Atlantic side cool and creates the foggy, arid conditions of the Diamond Coast.
- The Karoo: This semi-desert interior experiences the country’s most extreme temperature swings—sweltering summer days followed by freezing winter nights.
Local Experience and Phenomena
- The Table Cloth: In Cape Town, when the South-Easter wind blows, it forces moist air up Table Mountain, where it condenses into a flat layer of white cloud that "spills" over the cliff edges like a tablecloth.
- Berg Winds: These are hot, dry winds that blow from the interior plateau down toward the coast, usually in late winter or spring. They can cause temperatures to spike by 10-15°C in just a few hours.
- Thunderstorm Culture: In Johannesburg and Pretoria, locals often time their day around the 4:00 PM summer storm—a brief, violent downpour followed by a fresh, sunset-lit evening.
Historical Context and