Rustenburg climate — normals and trends

Rustenburg (South Africa) has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh) under the Köppen-Geiger classification. Its mean annual temperature is 18.4 °C and it receives 608 mm of precipitation per year.

These figures are normals computed over 86 complete calendar years, from 1940 to 2025, using ERA5 reanalysis data from the Copernicus programme.

The warmest month is January (22.9 °C on average) and the coldest is June (11.6 °C). Rainfall peaks in December.

Rustenburg averages 1 frost days, 62 hot days (≥ 30 °C) and 92 rainy days per year.

Rustenburg has warmed by +1.2 °C between 1940 and 2025, or +0.14 °C per decade. This trend is statistically significant.

The hottest day of the period reached 40.4 °C (on 7 January 2016) and the coldest -2.0 °C (on 28 June 1964).

Data from ERA5 reanalysis (Copernicus Climate Change Service), redistributed under a CC-BY 4.0 licence. Normals are recomputed whenever the archive is updated.

Climate normals · ERA5

RustenburgNorth West

coords
-25.67°, 27.24°
period
19402025 · 86 yrs
BShHot semi-aridWarmest monthJanuaryColdest monthJuneWettest monthDecemberDriest monthJuly

Mean daily temperature

18.4°C

Average daily high

25.1°C

Average daily low

12.8°C

Annual rainfall

608mm

Sunshine / day

10.8h

Mean relative humidity

56%

Average peak wind

14.4km/h

Seasonal range

11.3°C

Frost days (< 0 °C)

1 d/yr

Hot days (≥ 30 °C)

62 d/yr

Rainy days (≥ 1 mm)

92 d/yr

Annual snowfall

0.0 cm

Average feels-like high

24.6 °C

Average feels-like low

11.4 °C

Average peak gust

33.4 km/h

Tropical nights (≥ 20 °C)

12 d/yr

Solar radiation

20.2 MJ/m²

Has the climate changed?

One stripe per year, 1940 to 2025

+1.2 °C

since 1940

+0.1 °C per decade · r² = 0.21 · p = < 0.001

1940Each stripe is one year, from 1940 (left) to 2025 (right). Blue = colder than the period average, red = warmer.2025

Trend fitted by linear regression (ordinary least squares) on annual means. A trend is shown only when it is statistically significant (p < 0.05).

A climograph overlays rainfall (bars) and temperature (line): the standard reading in climatology, where you can see at a glance whether the warm season is also the dry one.

Records for the period

Hottest day

40.4 °C

7 January 2016

Coldest day

-2.0 °C

28 June 1964

Wettest day

171 mm

9 February 2000

Windiest day

37.4 km/h

19 October 1945

Strongest gust

85.7 km/h

6 March 1997

Hottest feels-like

40.7 °C

7 January 2016

Coldest feels-like

-6.4 °C

9 July 2024

Snowiest day

0.3 cm

18 July 1965

Sunniest day

13.6 h

17 December 2024

YearHottest dayColdest dayAnnual meanRainfallHot daysFrost days
202534.1 °C15 October 20250.7 °C5 July 202518.3 °C1,015 mm390
202437.3 °C4 December 2024-2.0 °C9 July 202420.1 °C373 mm1252
202335.6 °C8 October 20230.8 °C10 July 202319.3 °C446 mm980
202236.0 °C4 October 20220.4 °C17 June 202218.7 °C715 mm500
202135.5 °C16 November 20210.3 °C25 July 202118.5 °C695 mm590
202035.5 °C19 October 2020-0.3 °C17 July 202018.7 °C508 mm691
201936.7 °C21 October 20192.3 °C4 July 201920.1 °C529 mm1300
201837.9 °C7 January 20181.8 °C3 July 201819.8 °C463 mm1130
201736.5 °C7 November 20172.1 °C9 June 201719.0 °C594 mm760
201640.4 °C7 January 20160.8 °C28 July 201620.1 °C547 mm1200
201538.3 °C7 December 20151.5 °C18 July 201520.4 °C284 mm1370
201435.7 °C5 December 2014-0.2 °C9 July 201418.8 °C549 mm721
201337.8 °C25 January 20132.6 °C22 June 201319.4 °C411 mm1170
201235.5 °C4 March 20121.0 °C13 August 201218.9 °C553 mm790
201138.2 °C24 October 20110.6 °C2 July 201118.2 °C673 mm480
201036.3 °C13 November 20100.4 °C17 June 201018.9 °C691 mm770
200934.5 °C8 October 20090.8 °C26 July 200918.5 °C609 mm660
200835.1 °C14 October 20081.5 °C11 July 200818.4 °C570 mm590
200736.0 °C22 February 20070.2 °C24 May 200718.8 °C383 mm920
200636.2 °C25 October 2006-0.6 °C28 June 200617.9 °C685 mm351
200537.5 °C3 November 20053.1 °C8 July 200519.3 °C465 mm890
200435.0 °C10 November 20040.7 °C17 July 200418.0 °C608 mm530
200336.1 °C15 December 2003-1.0 °C21 August 200319.2 °C387 mm981
200235.0 °C19 October 20021.5 °C18 July 200218.6 °C415 mm750
200137.1 °C11 January 2001-0.5 °C20 July 200118.0 °C677 mm441
200033.5 °C19 October 2000-0.8 °C17 July 200017.3 °C1,124 mm292
199935.1 °C1 March 19992.3 °C20 June 199918.7 °C475 mm540
199835.9 °C8 February 1998-0.5 °C5 July 199818.8 °C584 mm811
199735.0 °C14 December 19970.9 °C2 June 199717.8 °C711 mm610
199633.3 °C3 November 19960.2 °C20 July 199617.6 °C801 mm300
199534.6 °C11 October 19950.5 °C19 July 199518.3 °C704 mm590
199435.3 °C23 December 1994-0.4 °C3 July 199417.6 °C411 mm424
199335.3 °C19 January 19932.0 °C17 June 199318.8 °C577 mm520
199237.8 °C27 February 19920.1 °C5 July 199219.4 °C356 mm1060
199133.5 °C7 October 19910.5 °C28 July 199118.4 °C574 mm600
199035.1 °C14 November 1990-0.3 °C14 July 199018.5 °C529 mm752
198935.5 °C19 October 1989-0.3 °C23 July 198918.1 °C602 mm491
198836.3 °C30 January 1988-0.1 °C10 June 198818.2 °C691 mm471
198735.9 °C4 November 19871.0 °C21 June 198718.9 °C594 mm920
198634.0 °C13 January 19863.0 °C22 June 198618.3 °C619 mm390
198535.0 °C4 January 1985-0.2 °C13 July 198518.6 °C570 mm431
198436.7 °C15 February 19840.9 °C4 July 198418.9 °C452 mm890
198335.3 °C11 January 19830.8 °C26 July 198318.9 °C476 mm720
198236.2 °C28 December 1982-0.8 °C17 June 198218.1 °C584 mm561
198136.3 °C6 November 19810.6 °C17 June 198117.3 °C638 mm390
198034.4 °C2 January 19800.5 °C5 July 198017.5 °C528 mm260
197935.2 °C7 January 1979-0.4 °C25 July 197918.0 °C615 mm501
197833.5 °C25 November 1978-1.4 °C14 June 197817.7 °C587 mm252
197733.9 °C22 January 19771.4 °C27 June 197718.0 °C640 mm430
197631.7 °C17 September 1976-0.8 °C21 June 197616.9 °C670 mm151
197533.5 °C1 January 19751.2 °C24 July 197517.3 °C686 mm340
197433.5 °C14 October 19741.9 °C2 August 197417.3 °C644 mm160
197336.2 °C19 January 19731.9 °C10 July 197317.9 °C835 mm490
197236.3 °C5 December 1972-0.8 °C2 August 197218.0 °C641 mm571
197134.0 °C26 December 19712.1 °C18 July 197117.8 °C605 mm380
197034.6 °C2 January 19701.0 °C23 July 197018.8 °C635 mm790
196936.4 °C15 January 19691.3 °C18 June 196918.4 °C580 mm610
196834.8 °C7 November 1968-1.4 °C15 June 196817.6 °C503 mm703
196733.8 °C23 October 1967-1.4 °C12 June 196717.4 °C739 mm382
196636.2 °C2 January 19662.9 °C15 July 196618.4 °C600 mm610
196535.6 °C29 October 1965-0.2 °C19 July 196518.3 °C346 mm831
196436.9 °C23 February 1964-2.0 °C28 June 196418.4 °C483 mm776
196336.0 °C29 December 1963-0.4 °C15 July 196318.2 °C518 mm582
196235.5 °C12 November 19621.0 °C14 June 196218.7 °C808 mm820
196135.6 °C21 October 19612.7 °C4 August 196118.1 °C777 mm490
196034.9 °C2 November 19601.2 °C23 July 196017.9 °C780 mm570
195935.9 °C17 October 19593.4 °C27 May 195918.0 °C658 mm530
195833.6 °C23 November 19581.4 °C17 June 195817.9 °C931 mm370
195735.4 °C21 December 1957-0.9 °C20 June 195717.8 °C717 mm321
195634.9 °C2 February 19560.5 °C30 August 195618.0 °C781 mm330
195533.4 °C12 November 1955-1.7 °C29 June 195517.0 °C648 mm281
195435.9 °C25 October 1954-0.4 °C28 July 195419.2 °C255 mm1212
195337.1 °C31 October 1953-0.7 °C31 July 195318.6 °C560 mm621
195236.5 °C20 November 19521.0 °C27 July 195218.6 °C670 mm610
195136.3 °C9 October 19512.1 °C15 June 195118.2 °C662 mm630
195034.9 °C30 December 19502.9 °C30 July 195017.9 °C637 mm540
194937.2 °C9 January 19492.9 °C16 July 194918.4 °C581 mm690
194835.1 °C1 December 19480.8 °C23 July 194817.4 °C754 mm500
194737.4 °C8 October 19470.5 °C13 July 194717.7 °C771 mm460
194636.0 °C29 October 19461.6 °C7 July 194617.8 °C717 mm450
194535.2 °C7 November 19450.6 °C12 June 194518.1 °C662 mm440
194434.7 °C26 September 19441.7 °C9 July 194417.7 °C707 mm270
194333.4 °C10 October 19431.3 °C21 July 194317.6 °C810 mm160
194234.0 °C9 January 19421.1 °C21 July 194217.5 °C889 mm220
194136.6 °C16 October 19410.4 °C5 July 194119.7 °C333 mm970
194035.9 °C30 November 19400.5 °C15 July 194019.2 °C418 mm910

Normals computed over complete calendar years 1940–2025.

A specific year

Pick a year and see how it compares to normal — warmer, drier or more extreme than usual?

Across the whole year

Average daily high
24.7 °C
-0.4 °C
Hot days (≥ 30 °C)
39 d/yr
-23
Frost days (< 0 °C)
0 d/yr
-1
Annual rainfall
1015 mm
+407 mm

Month by month

Highvs. normalPrecipitationvs. normal
Jan28.2 °C-0.3 °C192 mm+90 mm
Feb27.3 °C-0.6 °C265 mm+167 mm
Mar26.0 °C-0.7 °C82 mm+13 mm
Apr22.5 °C-1.8 °C112 mm+67 mm
May21.7 °C-0.4 °C5 mm-10 mm
Jun20.0 °C+0.6 °C2 mm-4 mm
Jul19.8 °C+0.2 °C3 mm+0 mm
Aug24.5 °C+2.0 °C0 mm-6 mm
Sep27.8 °C+1.4 °C18 mm+1 mm
Oct27.7 °C-0.3 °C43 mm-6 mm
Nov25.0 °C-2.9 °C107 mm+23 mm
Dec26.5 °C-1.6 °C186 mm+72 mm

The year's extremes

Hottest day
34.1 °C
15 Oct 2025
Coldest day
0.7 °C
5 Jul 2025
Wettest day
66.2 mm
19 Feb 2025
Windiest day
27.7 km/h
21 May 2025
Strongest gust
58.7 km/h
16 Nov 2025
Hottest feels-like
36.5 °C
23 Feb 2025
Coldest feels-like
-3.0 °C
28 Jun 2025
Sunniest day
13.6 h
15 Dec 2025

What was the weather like that day?

Your birthday, a wedding, a memorable trip: discover the actual weather for any date since 1940.

Date

Frequently asked questions

What is the climate of Rustenburg?

Rustenburg has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). Over 1940-2025, the average annual temperature is 18.4 °C and it receives 608 mm of precipitation per year.

What is the hottest day ever recorded in Rustenburg?

The hottest day measured in Rustenburg between 1940 and 2025 was 7 January 2016, reaching 40.4 °C.

What is the coldest day in Rustenburg?

The coldest day measured in Rustenburg between 1940 and 2025 was 28 June 1964, at -2.0 °C.

Does it snow in Rustenburg?

Almost never: Rustenburg sees virtually no snow, with about 1 frost days per year.

Has the climate of Rustenburg warmed?

Yes: Rustenburg warmed by +1.2 °C between 1940 and 2025, a statistically significant trend.

What is the wettest day in Rustenburg?

The wettest day measured in Rustenburg between 1940 and 2025 was 9 February 2000, with 171 mm of rain in 24 hours.

What was the windiest day in Rustenburg?

The windiest day measured in Rustenburg between 1940 and 2025 was 19 October 1945, with winds reaching 37.4 km/h.

What is the warmest month in Rustenburg?

The warmest month in Rustenburg is January (22.9 °C on average); the coldest is June (11.6 °C).

How much does it rain in Rustenburg?

Rustenburg receives on average 608 mm of precipitation per year, spread over about 92 rainy days.

Is it sunny in Rustenburg?

Rustenburg gets on average 10.8 hours of sunshine per day, roughly 3,942 hours per year over 1940-2025.

What is the biggest single-day snowfall in Rustenburg?

The heaviest 24-hour snowfall measured in Rustenburg between 1940 and 2025 was 18 July 1965, with 0.3 cm.

Are there tropical nights in Rustenburg?

Yes: Rustenburg has on average 12 tropical nights per year (temperature staying above 20 °C), over 1940-2025.

What was the most extreme apparent temperature in Rustenburg?

In Rustenburg, between 1940 and 2025, the highest apparent temperature reached 40.7 °C on 7 January 2016, and the lowest was -6.4 °C on 9 July 2024.

Compare Rustenburg with another city

Pick a second city: its normals will be set against these, indicator by indicator.

Nearby cities

The climate around Rustenburg

Other cities — South Africa