Travel time: Year-round
Johannesburg's weather is dictated by its position on the Highveld, a grassy plateau sitting at an elevation of approximately 1,753 meters (5,751 feet) above sea level. This altitude tempers what would otherwise be a tropical climate, resulting in a subtropical highland climate characterized by sunny days, low humidity, and dramatic seasonal shifts.
Regardless of the season, Johannesburg is one of the sunniest cities in the world, averaging over 3,100 hours of sunshine annually.
Summers are warm but rarely uncomfortably hot, with daytime highs averaging 25°C to 26°C (77°F to 79°F). This is the wet season, but rain is rarely persistent. Instead, it arrives in short, intense bursts of afternoon or evening thundershowers that clear the air and keep the city’s massive urban forest lush and green.
This is widely considered the most pleasant time in the city. The summer rains taper off, leaving behind mild days and clear, golden afternoons. Temperatures begin to dip, particularly at night, moving from 20°C (68°F) down to 10°C (50°F) by May.
Winters are dry and characterized by a deep blue, cloudless sky. While days are mild and sunny—often reaching 18°C to 20°C (64°F to 68°F)—the nights are biting. Temperatures frequently drop to near freezing (0°C to 2°C / 32°F to 36°F), and frost is common in the suburbs and open veld. Rainfall is almost non-existent during these months.
Spring is a season of rapid transition. The dry, dusty landscape is suddenly transformed by the first rains and the blooming of the city's millions of Jacaranda trees, which blanket the streets in purple. Temperatures climb quickly back toward the mid-20s Celsius.
The most iconic feature of Johannesburg weather is the Highveld thunderstorm. These storms are spectacular displays of nature, featuring some of the highest lightning strike rates in the world, booming thunder, and occasionally large hail. They typically roll in around 4:00 PM, dump a significant amount of rain in 30 minutes, and disappear, leaving behind a refreshed atmosphere and a sunset often painted in vivid oranges and purples.
Locals refer to the winter sun as "dishonest"—it looks warm through a window, but the air remains chilly. Because most South African homes are designed for heat rather than cold (often lacking central heating), locals adapt to the winter by using underfloor heating, fireplaces, and moving outdoors to soak up the direct midday sun.
During summer, the "afternoon storm" is a scheduling factor. Social events or outdoor activities are often planned for the morning or midday to avoid the inevitable 4:00 PM deluge.
While the region is generally uniform, subtle variations exist. The northern suburbs, which are more heavily forested (the "world's largest man-made forest"), can feel a degree or two cooler and more humid than the industrial south. Pretoria, located just 50km north but at a slightly lower altitude, is consistently 2°C to 3°C warmer and feels significantly more tropical than Johannesburg.