South Africa Climate And Weather

 WEATHER & CLIMATE

San family in the Kalahari desert, Northern Cape

© South African Tourism

South Africa’s weather is blissfully sunny and temperate, ranging from a Mediterranean type climate in the southwest to sub-tropical climate in the northeast. The sun shines on average for 8 to 10 hours a day throughout the year. Seasons in the southern hemisphere are the reverse to the north - midsummer is December to February and midwinter is June to July.

The coastline is largely affected by two ocean currents. Along the West Coast the chilly Benguela Current from Antarctica sweeps past Cape Town while the East Coast and Durban benefits from the warm Agulhas Current, flowing down from the tropics. Geographically these currents mingle somewhere off Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, although Capetonians erroneously claim it to be off Cape Point.

Mangrove estuary, northern KwaZulu Natal

© South African Tourism

The mountainous escarpment separates the coastal regions from the high lying plateau, sweeping down from the east coast towards the south. These lofty mountains are frequently snow-capped in the winter months, particularly the Drakensberg and Lesotho highlands. Ocean currents, mountains and prevailing winds determine the coastal variance ranging from the aridity of the austere West Coast to the lush sub-tropical forests of the balmy East Coast.

Winter days in the elevated interior plateau are warmer than at the coast and evenings are chilly with high-lying areas experiencing nightly frosts. Summers days are comfortably hot with occasional fleeting thundershowers.