Winter in south africa may to july is characterised in the higherlying areas of the interior plateau by dry, sunny, crisp days and. In the winter months, snow collects on the high mountains of the cape and the drakensberg. Although generalizing south africas weather is difficult, there are a few absolutes that apply throughout the country. Highs of about 35c in summer with lows of about 12c at night in winter. If you ever wondered what fruits and vegetables are in season in south africa, then this handy guide is for you. The indian and atlantic oceans meet at the southwestern tip of south africa. Jul 31, 20 a simple list of seasonal fruit and vegetables for south africa.
Bear in mind that south africa, being a large country like the usa, has varied climatic conditions so one cannot easily generalise about the weather. These are the winter months for the southern hemisphere, which brings us to a common theme. Between march and may, the weather is still warm while the crowds have gone and prices come down, making this the best time to visit johannesburg, south africa. The winter season lasts from latejune to midseptember. South africa s coasts are major tourist attractions and trade locations. South africa s weather conditions in the interior and especially on the vast interior plateau during the summer are characterized by warm to hot and dry days. The limpopo province is situated on the northern tip of south africa. Two methods are most commonly used to define the dates of the seasons. South africas climate is seasonal, getting quite cold in winter may august. Aug 09, 2011 summer season is during the months december, january and february.
The 10 reasons why visiting south africa in winter is a good idea this is our case for why the colder months remain the best ones. There are still a lot of flowers and trees that love winter and can survive even when the temperatures are low. In the tropical far north, there is no clear winter season just a wet and dry season. Winter specials winter is regarded as the countrys off season and there are more special offers at this time of year than at any other, unless youre travelling in the school holidays. South africa weather south africa, africa forecast tripadvisor. The climate of south africa is determined by south africas situation between 22s and 35s.
Although cape town is a superb holiday destination yearround, the best time to visit cape town depends on what youre planning to do. Best time to visit johannesburg, south africa weather. Winter in south africa may to july is characterised in the higherlying areas of the interior plateau by dry, sunny, crisp days and cold nights. South africas winter period runs from may to september. The winter season in south africa runs from june until august, so when we flew there on august 29, spring was actually just about to start. They all have hot summers december to march, and the coldest months being july and august. What most people dont know is that due to the unique geography, and its location between two oceans, south africa has a varied and mild climate making it a great destination all year round. The rainiest months in cape town are may to august, and johannesburg. Influenza and winter go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows. Mosquitoes thrive when there is plenty of surface water during the hot summer rains. This is the dry season and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. This season is the coldest in the whole year, but not in the tropical zones. A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau, account for the warm temperate conditions so typical of south africa and so popular with its foreign visitors.
September to october is springtime and the weather can be good. Also the northern and eastern parts of the country now are stunning with blue skies during the day due to their dry weather conditions in winter. Winter mornings and evenings can get quite cold, so pack some mittens and a scarf. The amount of sunshine in cape town is very good in summer, when the sky is often clear, but it remains good even in winter. Winter and summer in south africa occur at opposite times to the corresponding seasons in europe and north america. Elsewhere in the region, the rainy season runs from november to april, which. During summer months, the heat is often interrupted by a short afternoon thunderstorm. Whale watching season along the western cape coast.
Winter mornings and evenings can get quite cold, so pack. While it can snow in the mountainous regions of south africa in winter, the western cape enjoys more of a mediterranean climate, with milder winter temperatures and a higher chance of rain. The winter months are overlapped by the dry season. Nelspruits climate compared to south africa s parks nelspruit is situated next to kruger, south africa s most popular park.
Winter is the season when cold fronts begin to come across the atlantic ocean, bringing rain and strong winds. The towns climate is largely representative of a lot of the parks, including the private reserves in sabi sand and other areas surrounding kruger. Summer novembermarch, autumn aprilmay, winter juneaugust, spring septemberoctober. May 11, 2017 10 reasons to winter in southern africa. Youll have a much easier time spotting game and a higher chance of seeing the big 5. This season brings temperatures down to about 810c in the mornings and the high teens later in the day. South africas weather african conservation photodestinations. Wild animals are easier to spot during the dry season, so dont miss your chance to visit such famous parks as kruger or madikwe. So relating to the climate in south africa, august means colder winter weather conditions in most of the regions of the country. 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 its pleasant and healthy. How you should be eating this seasons nectarines oranges pawpaws or papaya pears pineapples sweet melon strawberries.
The climate of south africa is determined by south africas situation between 22 s and 35s. South africa climate and seasons south africa has got quite welldefined seasons. During this period, there is minimal exposure of the earth to the sun. Cape town is famous for its picturesque beaches, awesome things to do and loads of sightseeing opportunities. Our summer season is during the months december, january and february. Nelspruit is situated next to kruger, south africas most popular park. South africa climate seasons cape town travel tips.
The area enjoys long sunny days and mostly dry weather. Unlike africas equatorial countries, where the year is split into rainy and dry seasons, south africa does have four seasonssummer, fall, winter, and springonly they are flipped from the seasons in the northern hemisphere. South africa weather south africa, africa forecast. Elsewhere in the region, the rainy season runs from november to april, which is also the hottest and most humid time of year. Summer season is during the months december, january and february.
Including the best months, proscons, highlow seasons and the bestworst weather. Summer in johannesburg is the peak season the weather is warm but the city is crowded and room rates among other things are high. Durban weather durban, kwazulunatal forecast tripadvisor. South african information can be a bit difficult to get hold of, thats why this fruit growing guide on the the sa fruit farms website was a great find. The cape is however wet as it gets most of its rain in winter being a mediterranean climate. Why you should visit south africa in the winter the. It is a great season with clear blue skies, almost no rain. Since the year has 12 months, each season lasts about three months. This makes the ocean important to south africa and its citizens. Our wild africa trip through south africa in september 2016 at the end of a dramatical drought period in which the animals had seriously suffering. Feb 15, 2011 very little rain falls over the whole country, and it is warm but not too hot, getting colder as the season progresses.
Conversely, in south africas western cape province, winter is actually the wettest season. Another factor to keep in mind is that school holidays in south africa take place during a month from june to july, which can make some places busier. Jun 07, 2018 if you ever wondered what fruits and vegetables are in season in south africa, then this handy guide is for you. South africa packing list for the western cape in september. Flu season typically runs from april to september and often peaks during august, although it varies by region. Month by month description of the best time to visit south africa. Seasonal fruit and vegetable chart for south africa crush.
Mar 14, 2020 summer in johannesburg is the peak season the weather is warm but the city is crowded and room rates among other things are high. The other reason why the winter months of may to august are generally malaria and mosquitofree in south africa, and some of the rest of southern africa, is that this is the dry season when little or no rain falls. The rainy season in most of the northern regions of south africa is in summer while the more southern region western cape is an area with mediterranean climate and winter rainfall. The best times to visit johannesburg are from march to may and september to november. Well, despite common belief, south africa has all the normal seasons any other country has. South africa officially the republic of south africa or abbreviated to rsa has always been one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Why you should visit south africa in the winter the blonde. Get the latest coronavirus covid19 updates for south africa with current travel advice, statistics and online resources below are average maximum temperatures at popular destinations in south africa for next month may. But coming of the winter season does not mean that we will not enjoy the beauty of the nature. However within that context, summer in south africa can be summarised as lasting from november to march. A simple list of seasonal fruit and vegetables for south africa. The 10 reasons why visiting south africa in winter is a good idea.
Along with the variety of people and places, south africa s climate also differs from one region to the next. The kruger national park is the best place to book a safari in the winter months. There are fewer people visiting south africa during the winter season, and even locals tend to stay home during the colder months. Aside from this, winter sees humidity drop in kwazulu natal, spring is for many the best safari season, and autumn is the ideal time to explore south africas extraordinary desert regions.
When is flu season and why there is a flu season in the. The mediterranean western cape, the subtropical and arid eastern cape and the subtropical kruger region. Its no surprise many travellers visit the mother city of south africa throughout the year. Conversely, in south africa s western cape province, winter is actually the wettest season. Sunshine throughout with every so often windy, dry and dusty circumstances. The interior of south africa is dry, warm to hot, with heavy afternoon thunderstorm and temperatures between 2535 celsius. Blue spruce is a tree that really loves winter and also looks very nice, when covered with snow. Rainfall can be significant here during the summer months, but for. 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. For most of the country this is the rainfall season. South africa offers incredible value for money to begin with, but prices are at their lowest in the winter months.
Feb 10, 2007 the winter months in south africa would be from about beginning of may to end of august. 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. However, the dates when the seasons begin and end vary depending on whom you ask. South africas climate is seasonal, getting quite cold in winter mayaugust. If youre heading to cape town in july or august, youll need a rain jacket and plenty of layers. Meteorological reckoning is the method of measuring the winter season used by meteorologists based on sensible weather patterns for record keeping purposes, so the start of meteorological winter varies with latitude. Select a destination to see the climate guide for all months of the year. Sep 22, 2017 the limpopo province is situated on the northern tip of south africa. In south africa there is no animal that with the onset of cold weather would fall into hibernation. Actually the south africa weather in winter is great for any city break. Th exception is that in the southern hemispheres winter months are in the.
This region is the main wildlife area of the country. The rainy season for most of the country is in the summer which is november through to. Seasonal fruit and vegetable chart for south africa. In ghana, the climate is tropical, with a dry season in winter and a rainy season in summer due to the african monsoon. 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. Winter is often defined by meteorologists to be the three calendar months with the lowest average temperatures.
The nights are cold with the possibility of frost in the morning. The best holidays in south africa a monthbymonth guide. 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. While we quite happily eat apples and grapes all year round, obviously we arent always eating whats in season. The seasons in south africa are opposite to the seasons in the northern hemisphere. Just because its winter does not mean people have to stop enjoying flowers. Together with june these are the wettest and coldest two months of the year in the western cape. Like many destinations, prices in south africa fall in the low season. Very little rain falls over the whole country, and it is warm but not too hot, getting colder as the season progresses.
Best time to visit johannesburg, south africa weather year. Jul 29, 2016 like many destinations, prices in south africa fall in the low season. The climate in south africa, however, differs in the various regions of this large country. Life would be a little less beautiful without the addition of some blossoms to brighter up your day during the months of june and july. Autumn fall in south africa midfebruary to april offers in some ways the best weather. The winter months coincide with south africa s dry season which runs from may to october and with less water available, the animals congregate around the water holes.
During these low season months, crowds lessen, prices drop and the weather is relatively warm and dry. South africa weather extreme weather south africa seasons. June, july and august are the winter months in south africa. Winter is one of the four earths seasons, that goes after autumn and foreshadows spring. Winter in south africa occurs when the earth is tilting away from the sun. How you should be eating this seasons nectarines oranges. The western cape, with its mediterranean climate, is the exception, getting its rain in winter. Everyone feels some magic in the air, because of frosts, crystal nights, snow and just this amazing atmosphere. Range of temperature at winter juneaugust is equally wide.
Overview of holidays and many observances in south africa during the year 2020. Apr 18, 2017 our wild africa trip through south africa in september 2016 at the end of a dramatical drought period in which the animals had seriously suffering. The rainy season is late november through december extending into january. The weather in durban tends to be pretty good all year round. The winter months coincide with south africas dry season which runs from may to october and with less water available, the animals congregate around the water holes. South africa is a diverse country with 9 provinces, which range from mountains and beaches, to deserts and bushveld.