Select units of measurement for the temperature and rainfall tables (metric or imperial).
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Johannesburg, the largest city of South Africa, the climate is
subtropical, with mild, sunny winters (when, however, nights are cold) and pleasantly warm summers, usually sunny, but with some afternoon thunderstorms. The city is located near the Tropic, but also on a plateau at 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) above sea level, so the climate is tempered by altitude, and it's pleasant and healthy (even though the city is polluted).
Being that the city is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed in comparison with Europe or North America.
The average
temperature goes from 10 °C (50 °F) in June and July to 21 °C (70 °F) in January. Here are the average temperatures.
Johannesburg - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | 14.6 | 26.3 | 20.4 |
|---|
| February | 14.4 | 26.3 | 20.3 |
|---|
| March | 13.2 | 25 | 19.1 |
|---|
| April | 10.2 | 22.7 | 16.4 |
|---|
| May | 7.1 | 20.4 | 13.7 |
|---|
| June | 4.2 | 17.9 | 11 |
|---|
| July | 3.6 | 17.8 | 10.7 |
|---|
| August | 6 | 20.8 | 13.4 |
|---|
| September | 9.4 | 24.6 | 17 |
|---|
| October | 11.4 | 26 | 18.7 |
|---|
| November | 12.5 | 25.8 | 19.2 |
|---|
| December | 14 | 26.1 | 20.1 |
|---|
| Year | 10 | 23.3 | 16.65 |
|---|
amounts to 700 millimeters (27.5 inches) per year and is concentrated in the warm period, from October to March, when the rains occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms. On the contrary, winter is a dry season, with rare and sporadic rains. Here is the average precipitation.
Johannesburg - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 125 | 14 |
|---|
| February | 90 | 10 |
|---|
| March | 90 | 11 |
|---|
| April | 50 | 8 |
|---|
| May | 15 | 3 |
|---|
| June | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| July | 5 | 1 |
|---|
| August | 5 | 2 |
|---|
| September | 25 | 4 |
|---|
| October | 75 | 9 |
|---|
| November | 110 | 13 |
|---|
| December | 105 | 14 |
|---|
| Year | 705 | 91 |
|---|
, from May to August, is mild and sunny during the day, but nights are cold. In the coldest months, June and July, the minimum temperature is near freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), especially in the outskirts of the city and in the countryside, where light frosts can occur.
The cold record is even -8 °C (17 °F), recorded on June 13, 1979.
In the daytime, however, when the sun usually shines, the air becomes mild, and the maximum temperature hovers around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F). In August, the temperature already begins to increase a bit.
Every once in a while, however, cold air masses arrive here from the south, and in these cases, the maximum temperature can remain around 10 °C (50 °F).
Since winter is a dry season, and as mentioned, the air is usually mild during the day, snow is a very rare phenomenon; sometimes, however, a bit of light snow can fall in the early morning. Snowfalls with accumulation on the ground, however, are not impossible, in fact, they occurred in May 1956, in August 1962, in June 1964, in September 1981, and more recently, on June 28, 2007, and on August 7, 2012. In nearby Pretoria, located at a bit lower altitude, snow is even more rare.
Summer, from November to March, is pleasantly warm, with cool nights, and possible showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or in the evening. Hot days are rare, in fact, the temperature rarely exceeds 30 °C (86 °F), but the tropical sun at high altitudes is very strong, so it requires appropriate protection.
However, the temperature reached 36 °C (97 °F) in January 2016.
Spring and autumn are mild and sunny, although sometimes, in April and September, it can get cold at night, while in October, there is often summer-like weather, warm during the day, and with the first thunderstorms.
Since the sky is usually clear, the amount of
sunshine in Johannesburg is very good throughout the year, even though the least sunny season is the summer because of showers and thunderstorms, which, however, do not last long and soon give way to the sun. There are as many as 3,100 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Johannesburg - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 8 | 250 |
|---|
| February | 8 | 225 |
|---|
| March | 7.5 | 240 |
|---|
| April | 8 | 235 |
|---|
| May | 9 | 275 |
|---|
| June | 9 | 265 |
|---|
| July | 9 | 285 |
|---|
| August | 9 | 285 |
|---|
| September | 9.5 | 280 |
|---|
| October | 8.5 | 270 |
|---|
| November | 8.5 | 250 |
|---|
| December | 8.5 | 265 |
|---|
| Year | 8.6 | 3125 |
|---|
Best Time
The
best months to visit Johannesburg are probably April, September and October, since they are mild months, not as rainy as summer and not as cold as winter. However, on closer view, Johannesburg can be visited throughout the year, since the summer is not too hot and it's sunny, even though it is disturbed by thunderstorms, while the winter is almost always mild and sunny during the day, although nights are often cold. The choice may therefore depend on the itinerary: for example, if you want to visit the Kruger Park, in the north-east of South Africa, you can choose winter, from June to August, a period that can be a bit cold and also rainy in the south of the country.
Johannesburg - Climate data
In Johannesburg, the
average temperature of the coldest month (July) is of
10.7 °C, that of the warmest month (January) is of
20.4 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Johannesburg - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | 14.6 | 26.3 | 20.4 |
|---|
| February | 14.4 | 26.3 | 20.3 |
|---|
| March | 13.2 | 25 | 19.1 |
|---|
| April | 10.2 | 22.7 | 16.4 |
|---|
| May | 7.1 | 20.4 | 13.7 |
|---|
| June | 4.2 | 17.9 | 11 |
|---|
| July | 3.6 | 17.8 | 10.7 |
|---|
| August | 6 | 20.8 | 13.4 |
|---|
| September | 9.4 | 24.6 | 17 |
|---|
| October | 11.4 | 26 | 18.7 |
|---|
| November | 12.5 | 25.8 | 19.2 |
|---|
| December | 14 | 26.1 | 20.1 |
|---|
| Year | 10 | 23.3 | 16.65 |
|---|
amounts to
705 millimeters per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from
5 millimeters in the driest months (July, August) to
125 millimeters in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
Johannesburg - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 125 | 14 |
|---|
| February | 90 | 10 |
|---|
| March | 90 | 11 |
|---|
| April | 50 | 8 |
|---|
| May | 15 | 3 |
|---|
| June | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| July | 5 | 1 |
|---|
| August | 5 | 2 |
|---|
| September | 25 | 4 |
|---|
| October | 75 | 9 |
|---|
| November | 110 | 13 |
|---|
| December | 105 | 14 |
|---|
| Year | 705 | 91 |
|---|
There are on average around 3125
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Johannesburg - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 8 | 250 |
|---|
| February | 8 | 225 |
|---|
| March | 7.5 | 240 |
|---|
| April | 8 | 235 |
|---|
| May | 9 | 275 |
|---|
| June | 9 | 265 |
|---|
| July | 9 | 285 |
|---|
| August | 9 | 285 |
|---|
| September | 9.5 | 280 |
|---|
| October | 8.5 | 270 |
|---|
| November | 8.5 | 250 |
|---|
| December | 8.5 | 265 |
|---|
| Year | 8.6 | 3125 |
|---|
Johannesburg - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.4 °C, with a minimum of
14.6 °C and a maximum of
26.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
10 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
125 mm, distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of
13.6 kph.
February is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.3 °C, with a minimum of
14.4 °C and a maximum of
26.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
10.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
90 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of
12.6 kph.
March is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.1 °C, with a minimum of
13.2 °C and a maximum of
25 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
28.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
90 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of
12.1 kph.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16.4 °C, with a minimum of
10.2 °C and a maximum of
22.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
4.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
26 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
50 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is of
12.1 kph.
May is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
13.7 °C, with a minimum of
7.1 °C and a maximum of
20.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
0.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
24 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
15 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 82% of the time.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is of
11.9 kph.
June is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
11 °C, with a minimum of
4.2 °C and a maximum of
17.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
21.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes. June 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is of
12.6 kph.
July, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
10.7 °C, with a minimum of
3.6 °C and a maximum of
17.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22 °C.
Precipitation amounts to only
5 mm, and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is of
12.7 kph.
August is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
13.4 °C, with a minimum of
6 °C and a maximum of
20.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-0.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to only
5 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 82% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is of
14.9 kph.
September is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
17 °C, with a minimum of
9.4 °C and a maximum of
24.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2.5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
25 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 78% of the time.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is of
16.1 kph.
October is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
18.7 °C, with a minimum of
11.4 °C and a maximum of
26 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
5 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30.5 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
75 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is of
16.8 kph.
November is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
19.2 °C, with a minimum of
12.5 °C and a maximum of
25.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
6 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
110 mm, distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of
16.2 kph.
December is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.1 °C, with a minimum of
14 °C and a maximum of
26.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9 °C.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30 °C.
Precipitation amounts to
105 mm, distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is of
15.4 kph.