Table Mountain and the surrounding Cape Peninsula boast a Mediterranean-type climate, characterized by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The south-western Cape records a range of 7 to 15°C (44 to 59°F) in July and 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F) in January.
Cape Town with Table Mountain in the background.
Seasonal Variations
First things first, South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means their seasons are completely FLIPPED from what you might expect. While Europe shivers through winter, South Africans are celebrating Christmas on sun-soaked beaches.
Summer (October - April)
Summer in this region runs from October to March. For Cape Town & Wine Country, summer means outdoor adventures, beach days, and harvest season in the winelands. Hot spells do occur in summer when the temperature can reach over 40°C (104°F) but the cooling south-easterly winds generally keep the summer mercury down.
Winter (May - September)
Only mid winter, the months of July and August, have the coldest weather. In winter, frontal depressions from the circumpolar westerly belt bring much-needed rain. For EPIC Wildlife Safaris (May-September): Winter is your golden ticket to incredible game viewing.
Read also: Johannesburg in February: Weather Guide
Rainfall
Rainfall across the Peninsula exhibits significant variation, ranging from 400 to 2,270 mm per year. This diversity is shaped not only by altitude but also by aspect and other topographic features that funnel rain-bearing winds. The wettest month in Table Mountain National Park is June where a typical day has a 29% chance of precipitation and gets 0.12 in (3.1 mm) of precipitation, while the dryest month in Table Mountain National Park is December where a typical day has a 7% chance of precipitation and gets 0.13 in (3.2 mm) of precipitation.
Rainy day in Cape Town.
Temperature
Temperature differences are subtle, with mean annual temperatures hovering between 18-20°C. Climate models project warming trends for the Cape Peninsula, with a 1.2°C increase already observed over the past half-century. The average temperature in Table Mountain National Park in June for a typical day ranges from a high of 62°F (16°C) to a low of 50°F (10°C). Some would describe the temperature to be moderately chilly.
Here are the average temperatures in Cape Town:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16.5 | 28 | 22.2 |
| February | 16.4 | 28.4 | 22.4 |
| March | 14.9 | 27 | 21 |
| April | 12 | 24.7 | 18.4 |
| May | 10.1 | 21.7 | 15.9 |
| June | 7.8 | 19.1 | 13.5 |
| July | 7.2 | 18.7 | 13 |
| August | 7.7 | 19.1 | 13.4 |
| September | 9.2 | 20.5 | 14.9 |
| October | 11.3 | 23.3 | 17.3 |
| November | 13.3 | 24.6 | 19 |
| December | 15.4 | 26.7 | 21.1 |
| Year | 11.8 | 23.5 | 17.6 |
Wind
Wind is a defining feature of the Peninsula’s climate. Wind is an unavoidable fact of life in Cape Town and the south-western Cape. In winter, northwesterly winds often reach gale force, while summer southerlies can blow with similar intensity for extended periods. The average wind speed is of 23.8 kph.
Read also: Your Guide to Sharm El Sheikh Weather
It also has a crucial ecological role: the South-Easter creates the famous Table Cloth that pours over the top of Table Mountain in summer, providing 25% of the mountain’s annual moisture. Without it, few plants and animals could survive summer’s desiccating drought on the mountain.
Table Mountain Timelapse 2 Filmed by Charles Maxwell
The "tablecloth" cloud formation over Table Mountain.
Local secret: When you see the “tablecloth” cloud formation over Table Mountain, rain is coming!
Wind and wave weather forecast for Table Mountain, South Africa contains detailed information about local wind speed, direction, and gusts. Wave forecast includes wave height and period. These forecasts for Table Mountain, South Africa are based on the GFS model and were created for windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing and other extreme sports activities. All data updates 4 times a day.
Read also: Weather Guide: Zambia in July
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