Planning a holiday to Cape Town is exciting. Cape Town offers a diverse range of experiences throughout the year, each with its own unique charm and appeal. February is often considered a great time to visit Cape Town as it is one of the warmest months of the year, continuing the city's vibrant summer season.
If you visit Cape Town in February, you'll still find yourself in the heart of summer, enjoying the warm weather and light breezes that characterize this time of year. The weather in Cape Town in February remains characterized by high temperatures and extended hours of sunshine, ideal for exploring the sandy beaches and engaging in various outdoor adventures.
Let's delve into what makes February a special time to visit this beautiful city. The weather is generally sunny and dry with very little rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, beach vacations and exploring the city's many attractions.
General Weather Conditions in Cape Town
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate. The summer months in Cape Town stretch from December through to March, while cooler weather sets in from April through to November.
- Warm Season: The warm season lasts for 3.6 months, from December 8 to March 27, with an average daily high temperature above 74°F.
- Cool Season: The cool season lasts for 3.7 months, from May 28 to September 18, with an average daily high temperature below 65°F.
Cape Town and surrounding areas receive most precipitation in winter (May to September). Summer (October to April) in Cape Town is warm and mostly dry. The Garden Route is an in-between area with moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Read also: Understanding Kenya's September Climate
February falls in the Southern Hemisphere's summer season, maintaining the trend of warm and dry weather that characterizes this time of year. Compared to other months, the weather in Cape Town in February is characterized by consistent warmth and minimal precipitation. It's warmer than the spring (September-November) and fall (March-May) months, and significantly warmer than the winter (June-August) months.
Temperature in February
February is typically the hottest month in Cape Town. In February, temperatures can reach a sizzling 29°C (84°F) as the average high temperature. The average high temperature is around 27°C (81°F), while the average low usually drops to 16°C (61°F). These temperatures make February one of the hottest months in Cape Town, ideal if you're looking for summer warmth and sunshine.
The average temperature is of 22.4 °C, with a minimum of 16.4 °C and a maximum of 28.4 °C. On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C. However, it dropped to 7.4 °C in February 2015.
Temperatures during the day and night can vary considerably. Warm and sunny days can be followed by cool evenings, so it is recommended to prepare layered clothing for nighttime activities. Despite the warm days, evenings can be pleasantly cool, making for comfortable conditions for dining outdoors or enjoying the city's nightlife.
The highest daily average high temperature is 76°F on February 10. Daily high temperatures are around 76°F, rarely falling below 69°F or exceeding 84°F. Daily low temperatures are around 62°F, rarely falling below 57°F or exceeding 67°F.
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For reference, on January 27, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Cape Town typically range from 63°F to 76°F, while on July 11, the coldest day of the year, they range from 48°F to 62°F.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C. However, it reached 37.4 °C in February 2000.
Average Temperatures in Cape Town:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.5 | 28.0 | 22.2 |
| February | 16.4 | 28.4 | 22.4 |
| March | 14.9 | 27.0 | 21.0 |
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Sunshine and Cloud Cover
The clearest month of the year in Cape Town is February, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 87% of the time. There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
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The month of February in Cape Town experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 13% throughout the month. The lowest chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 11% on February 10. The clearest day of the month is February 10, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 89% of the time.
For reference, on May 19, the cloudiest day of the year, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy conditions is 44%, while on February 10, the clearest day of the year, the chance of clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy skies is 89%.
Rainfall
February is typically the driest month in Cape Town. The month with the fewest wet days in Cape Town is February, with an average of 1.3 days with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm, distributed over 2 days.
In Cape Town, the chance of a wet day over the course of February is essentially constant, remaining around 5% throughout. For reference, the year's highest daily chance of a wet day is 27% on June 15, and its lowest chance is 4% on February 13.
To show variation within the month and not just the monthly total, we show the rainfall accumulated over a sliding 31-day period centered around each day. The average sliding 31-day rainfall during February in Cape Town is essentially constant, remaining about 0.4 inches throughout, and rarely exceeding 1.2 inches. The lowest average 31-day accumulation is 0.4 inches on February 20.
Daylight Hours
Over the course of February in Cape Town, the length of the day is decreasing. From the start to the end of the month, the length of the day decreases by 53 minutes, implying an average daily decrease of 1 minute, 58 seconds, and weekly decrease of 13 minutes, 47 seconds.
The shortest day of the month is February 28, with 12 hours, 50 minutes of daylight and the longest day is February 1, with 13 hours, 43 minutes of daylight.
The earliest sunrise of the month in Cape Town is 6:07 AM on February 1 and the latest sunrise is 25 minutes later at 6:33 AM on February 28. The latest sunset is 7:51 PM on February 1 and the earliest sunset is 28 minutes earlier at 7:23 PM on February 28.
Daylight saving time is not observed in Cape Town during 2025. For reference, on December 21, the longest day of the year, the Sun rises at 5:31 AM and sets 14 hours, 25 minutes later, at 7:57 PM, while on June 21, the shortest day of the year, it rises at 7:51 AM and sets 9 hours, 54 minutes later, at 5:44 PM.
Humidity and Wind
The chance that a given day will be muggy in Cape Town is essentially constant during February, remaining within 1% of 8% throughout. The highest chance of a muggy day during February is 9% on February 11.
For reference, on February 11, the muggiest day of the year, there are muggy conditions 9% of the time, while on May 25, the least muggy day of the year, there are muggy conditions 0% of the time.
The average hourly wind speed in Cape Town is gradually decreasing during February, decreasing from 13.7 miles per hour to 13.1 miles per hour over the course of the month.
For reference, on January 22, the windiest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 13.9 miles per hour, while on May 3, the calmest day of the year, the daily average wind speed is 10.5 miles per hour.
The hourly average wind direction in Cape Town throughout February is predominantly from the south, with a peak proportion of 65% on February 1.
Water Temperature
The average surface water temperature in Cape Town is essentially constant during February, remaining around 66°F throughout. The highest average surface water temperature during February is 66°F on February 6.
Crowds and Costs
February in Cape Town is characterized by a high influx of tourists as it is the peak season, primarily due to the attractive summer weather. At this time, the city is sunny and warm, and beaches, attractions, and outdoor restaurants are filled with visitors. Due to this, popular places can be overcrowded and accommodation prices are often at their highest. It is recommended to book accommodation in advance to get the best deals.
Compared to quieter and cooler months such as June or July, February has a lively and festive atmosphere, but the trade-off is higher costs and more people. Planning and booking in advance will help keep costs down and ensure the best experience possible. If you're looking for a balance between weather and affordability, months like March or November are shoulder season with more moderate crowds and costs, but still enjoyable weather.
Things to Do in Cape Town in February
February is an ideal time to explore the vibrant city of Cape Town, with its sunny skies and bustling summer vibe. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, there's something for everyone.
Here are a few ideas:
- Visit Boulders Beach: Just a short drive from Cape Town, at Boulders Beach you can swim with African penguins in their natural habitat.
- Explore the Cape Winelands: The Cape vineyards are renowned for their breathtaking scenery and exceptional wines. Guided tours offer insight into the winemaking process, the history of the region, and, of course, wine tasting.
- Take a walk through the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: Explore the lush scenery of Kirstenbosch, located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It is home to a variety of native plants and birds, and in February the garden is filled with flowering plants and offers a variety of themed walks.
- Take a ride on the Table Mountain Cable Car: Table Mountain is Cape Town's iconic landmark, and the Aerial Cableway provides an easy climb to the top for panoramic views of the city, coastline and other attractions.
Table Mountain in Cape Town.
Safety Tips for February Travel
February is typically the hottest month in Cape Town. Try to limit exposure between 10am and 4pm. Apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every few hours, even if it's cloudy, or more frequently after sweating or swimming, and wear UV-blocking sunglasses too, and bear in mind that bright surfaces, such as sand and water increase UV exposure.
February is typically the driest month in Cape Town. You're unlikely to see a thunderstorm during your trip. You're unlikely to experience any strong winds. Expect a gentle breeze that increases to moderate at times during February. With moderate humidity and mild air temperatures, the breeze will have a slight cooling effect.
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