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The climate of South Africa, city by city

This page lists the 305 cities in South Africa for which climate normals are available. Each entry covers temperature, rainfall and how the climate changed between 1940 and 2025, computed from ERA5 reanalysis data.

Average across cities

17.1°C

Annual rainfall

726mm

Spread between cities

10.5°C

Warming

+1.3°C

Departure from normal across the country's largest cities, 1940–2025

Rankings

Across the 305 cities in this country with a measured climate.

The warmest

  1. 1Musina22.9 °C
  2. 2Komatipoort22.8 °C
  3. 3Phalaborwa22.7 °C
  4. 4Giyani22 °C
  5. 5Mtubatuba22 °C
  6. 6Richards Bay21.8 °C
  7. 7eSikhaleni21.8 °C
  8. 8Empangeni21.8 °C
  9. 9Kamaqhekeza21.8 °C
  10. 10Marapong21.6 °C

The coldest

  1. 1Phuthaditjhaba12.4 °C
  2. 2Khowa12.4 °C
  3. 3Tlokoeng13 °C
  4. 4Fouriesburg13.2 °C
  5. 5Ficksburg13.5 °C
  6. 6Ugie13.6 °C
  7. 7Kokstad13.7 °C
  8. 8Whittlesea13.9 °C
  9. 9Cala13.9 °C
  10. 10Bethlehem14 °C

The wettest

  1. 1Tlokoeng1,370 mm
  2. 2Sabie1,220 mm
  3. 3Ugie1,185 mm
  4. 4White River1,134 mm
  5. 5Cala1,123 mm
  6. 6Ladysmith1,089 mm
  7. 7Tongaat1,087 mm
  8. 8Howick1,070 mm
  9. 9Mpophomeni1,070 mm
  10. 10Richmond1,055 mm

Frequently asked questions

What is the hottest city in South Africa?

The hottest city in South Africa is Musina, with an average annual temperature of 22.9 °C.

What is the coldest city in South Africa?

The coldest city in South Africa is Phuthaditjhaba, with an average annual temperature of 12.4 °C.

What is the wettest city in South Africa?

The wettest city in South Africa is Tlokoeng, with 1,370 mm of precipitation per year.

Has the climate of South Africa warmed?

Based on its largest cities, South Africa warmed by +1.3 °C between 1940 and 2025.

Cities by region

Eastern Cape34

Free State41

Gauteng37

KwaZulu-Natal40

Limpopo27

Mpumalanga49

Northern Cape6

North West30

Western Cape41