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When to Visit Johannesburg

Climate guide & best times to travel

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Monthly Climate Data for Johannesburg Average temperature and rainfall by month Climate Overview -1°C 6°C 14°C 22°C 30°C Rainfall (mm) 0 66 132 Jan Jan: 25.0°C high, 14.0°C low, 132mm rain Feb Feb: 25.0°C high, 14.0°C low, 102mm rain Mar Mar: 24.0°C high, 13.0°C low, 94mm rain Apr Apr: 21.0°C high, 10.0°C low, 43mm rain May May: 19.0°C high, 7.0°C low, 20mm rain Jun Jun: 17.0°C high, 4.0°C low, 8mm rain Jul Jul: 17.0°C high, 4.0°C low, 3mm rain Aug Aug: 20.0°C high, 6.0°C low, 5mm rain Sep Sep: 23.0°C high, 9.0°C low, 15mm rain Oct Oct: 25.0°C high, 11.0°C low, 69mm rain Nov Nov: 25.0°C high, 13.0°C low, 102mm rain Dec Dec: 25.0°C high, 14.0°C low, 130mm rain Temperature Rainfall
Johannesburg sits on the 1,753-m-high Highveld plateau, so its climate feels more like dry, sunny mountain weather than the steamy subtropical conditions you might expect this close to the Tropic of Capricorn. Days are warm to hot from September through April, with afternoon thundershowers that drum on tin roofs and leave the red earth smelling of hot iron. Nights turn surprisingly crisp even in midsummer. May to August brings the dry season: cobalt skies, almost zero rainfall, and air so thin you'll see your breath at dawn yet still feel the sun burning your forearms by 10 a.m. Humidity hovers around 70 % year-round, but the elevation keeps it from feeling oppressive. Instead you get that pleasant, almost silky air that makes the city's jacarandas and pine plantations smell sharper than they would at sea level. Because the city straddles the continental divide, weather can swing 15 °C in a single day - what locals call "four seasons in one afternoon." Hailstorms, dust devils, and sudden chilly gusts roll off the Magaliesberg to the north-west, while the southern suburbs bask in still heat. Interestingly, Johannesburg has been trending slightly warmer over the past decade. Frost used to lace the lawns most June mornings, whereas now you'll typically get only a handful of icy nights. That said, the dry winters remain the clearest in South Africa, giving the city its famous high-veld light that turns everything the colour of bleached straw.

Best Time to Visit

Recommended timing for different travel styles.

Beach & Relaxation
Head to nearby warm-water resorts in northern KwaZulu-Natal April-May, when Johannesburg's skies are still cobalt and daytime highs sit around 24 °C (75 °F).
Cultural Exploration
September and October - mild 26 °C (79 °F) afternoons, jacarandas in purple bloom, and outdoor festivals in Newtown and Soweto without summer storm interruptions.
Adventure & Hiking
June-August; crisp 18 °C (64 °F) days, zero rain, and golden grass on the Suikerbosrand trails that crunch like cornflakes underfoot.
Budget Travel
January and February. School holidays are over, guesthouses drop rates, and afternoon storms mean shorter queues at attractions like the Apartheid Museum.

What to Pack

Essentials and seasonal recommendations for Johannesburg.

Year-Round Essentials
Lightweight down jacket
mornings anywhere below 10 °C (50 °F) feel colder than the number suggests thanks to thin air.
High-SPF sunscreen
UV index here rivals the Alps; you'll burn in 20 minutes.
Reusable water bottle
elevation plus dry air dehydrates faster than coastal cities.
Power adapter type M (three fat round pins) and a universal plug
many guesthouses still use the old British standard too.
Neutral-tone scarf
doubles as dust mask on windy August mine-dump tours and evening wrap in May's 7 °C (45 °F) beer-garden nights.
Summer (Nov-Mar)
Clothing
fold-up umbrella that fits in daypack side pocket, quick-dry T-shirts for surprise downpours
Footwear
light hiking shoes with grippy soles for slick koppie trails
Autumn (Apr-May)
Clothing
long-sleeve linen shirt for 24 °C (75 °F) afternoons that turn breezy
Accessories
thin merino beanie for 11 °C (52 °F) nights in outdoor cafés
Winter (Jun-Aug)
Accessories
touchscreen gloves so you can photograph sunrise from Northcliff Ridge without numb fingers, lip balm because the 70 % humidity doesn't stop cracked lips at 1,700 m
Spring (Sep-Oct)
Footwear
breathable trail runners for red-dust paths before the rains return
Accessories
wraparound sunglasses to block jacaranda petals flicking into your eyes on open-top Red Bus tours
Plug Type
type M (three fat round pins)
Adapter Note
Power adapter type M (three fat round pins) and a universal plug - many guesthouses still use the old British standard too.
Skip These Items
Heavy-duty raincoat - storms are brief and warm. Beach towel - hotel pools provide them, and day-trip lodge pools lend extras. Insect zapper - malaria is not a risk in Johannesburg itself. Thick wool sweater - layers beat one bulky jumper when temperatures swing 15 °C in a day.
Full Packing Checklist

Interactive checklist with shopping links for every item you need.

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Month-by-Month Guide

Climate conditions and crowd levels for each month of the year.

January

Steamy 28 °C (82 °F) highs and 16 °C (61 °F) lows; late-afternoon thunder cracks so loud car alarms wail along Jan Smuts Avenue.

High 28 °C (82 °F)
Low 16 °C (61 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds High crowds
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February

Still 28 °C (82 °F) by day, 16 °C (61 °F) at night; storms arrive a little later, so sunsets glow orange behind purple jacaranda canopies.

High 28 °C (82 °F)
Low 16 °C (61 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium crowds
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March

Temperatures glide down to 26 °C (79 °C) max, 14 °C (57 °F) min; rain eases, giving you dry, pine-scented mornings in the Walter Sisulu gardens.

High 26 °C (79 °C)
Low 14 °C (57 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium crowds
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April

Golden light and 24 °C (75 °F) days, 11 °C (52 °F) nights; first frost possible in low-lying suburbs. But afternoons remain warm enough for rooftop cocktails in Sandton.

High 24 °C (75 °F)
Low 11 °C (52 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low crowds
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May

Dry season gate-crashes with 22 °C (72 °F) afternoons and 7 °C (45 °F) dawns; the air smells of wood smoke and veld grass, and the city's haze-free skyline looks cut from glass.

High 22 °C (72 °F)
Low 7 °C (45 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low crowds
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June

Proper Highveld winter - 18 °C (64 °F) under brilliant sun, 4 °C (39 °F) before sunrise. Lawn sprinklers freeze into tiny ice sculptures in Parkhurst.

High 18 °C (64 °F)
Low 4 °C (39 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low crowds
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July

Same 18 °C (64 °F) days, 4 °C (39 °F) nights; the CBD's office towers trap the sun's warmth, so lunchtime on Juta Street feels almost spring-like.

High 18 °C (64 °F)
Low 4 °C (39 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Low crowds
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August

Mercury climbs to 21 °C (70 °F), lows rise to 6 °C (43 °F); first purple jacaranda buds appear, and dust devils twirl across mine-dump wastelands.

High 21 °C (70 °F)
Low 6 °C (43 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium crowds
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September

Perfect 24 °C (75 °F) days, 9 °C (48 °F) nights; air smells of blooming karee trees and fresh tar as road crews prep for summer.

High 24 °C (75 °F)
Low 9 °C (48 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium crowds
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October

Heat returns - 26 °C (79 °F) max, 12 °C (54 °F) min - along with spectacular late-afternoon lightning that silhouettes the Orlando cooling towers.

High 26 °C (79 °F)
Low 12 °C (54 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds Medium crowds
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November

Summer preview hits 27 °C (81 °F) by day, 14 °C (57 °F) at night; short, sharp thundershowers drum on corrugated township roofs.

High 27 °C (81 °F)
Low 14 °C (57 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds High crowds
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December

Holiday crush brings 28 °C (82 °F) highs, 16 °C (61 °F) lows, and storms that smell of wet granite and braai smoke drifting from every other garden.

High 28 °C (82 °F)
Low 16 °C (61 °F)
Rainfall None
Crowds High crowds
View Details →

Ready to plan your trip to Johannesburg?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

Top Things to Do

Curated attractions, tours, and experiences in Johannesburg.

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Where to Stay

Best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget.

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What to Pack

Climate-specific gear and essentials for Johannesburg.

See packing list →

Continue Planning Your Trip

Packing List

What to bring on your trip for Johannesburg

When to Visit

Best times to travel for Johannesburg

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Johannesburg