Last updated: August 31, 2025
In January, Cape Town basks in the warmth of summer, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 28°C (82°F) and an average temperature of 20°C (68°F). The evenings bring a cooler breeze, with minimum temperatures dropping to 15°C (59°F), creating a pleasant contrast. Visitors can expect relatively low precipitation, with only 14 mm (0.6 in) falling over a mere 2 days in the month, making it ideal for outdoor adventures. However, the humidity remains notable at 77%, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of this stunning coastal city. Whether exploring its iconic landscapes or enjoying its cultural offerings, January in Cape Town promises a delightful experience.
In January, Cape Town basks in warm, summer temperatures, with daily highs reaching up to 28°C (82°F) and a comfortable average of 20°C (68°F). As the month progresses into February, the weather remains consistently pleasant, with low temperatures hovering around 15°C (59°F) and maxing out at 27°C (81°F), making it a perfect time for outdoor activities. March follows suit, maintaining a similar range, but with a slight dip in average temperatures to 19°C (66°F), while high temperatures can still peak at 28°C (82°F). As autumn approaches in April, the climate becomes a touch cooler, particularly at night, but daytime highs can soar to an impressive 31°C (88°F). This pattern continues into the winter months, with temperatures gradually declining, reaching their lowest in July and August, when maximums are around 24°C (75°F). Notably, winter lows drop to 7°C (45°F), but the atmosphere remains mild overall. By September, the trend begins to shift back to warmer weather, indicative of the approaching spring, with temperatures rebounding to 28°C (82°F) by the end of the year, setting the stage for another vibrant summer in December. Overall, January stands out as one of the warmest and sunniest months in Cape Town, drawing both locals and tourists to its stunning beaches and scenic vistas.
January in Cape Town tends to be relatively dry, with an average precipitation of 14 mm (0.6 in) occurring over just 2 days. This pattern sets the stage for the warm summer months, characterized by long, sunny days and minimal rainfall. As the year progresses, a notable increase in precipitation is observed, particularly in the winter months from May to July, where totals climb significantly, reaching their peak in June with 103 mm (4.1 in) over approximately 11 days. By contrast, the rainfall begins to taper off again from August onward, illustrating a clear seasonal cycle that highlights Cape Town's distinct dry and wet periods. This fluctuation in precipitation not only influences the local climate but also impacts the region's vibrant ecosystems and agricultural patterns.
In January, Cape Town experiences a humidity level of 77%, setting a trend for the upcoming months. As the summer progresses into February and March, humidity rises slightly to 80% and 81% respectively, creating a muggy atmosphere. However, this peak in humidity is short-lived; by April, it eases back to 80%, and begins to decline gradually, with May seeing a dip to 78%. The subsequent months maintain a fairly consistent range, hovering around 79% to 76% until the year wraps around again in December at 77%. This cyclical pattern highlights Cape Town’s subtropical climate, balancing warmth and moisture throughout the summer while transitioning into drier conditions as the year unfolds.
In January, Cape Town experiences its highest UV Index of 14, categorizing sun exposure as extreme with a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. This trend of intense UV levels continues into February and March, where the Index remains at 13 and 11 respectively, still marked as extreme with an equally short burn time. As the seasons shift into April, the UV Index drops to 8, transitioning to a very high exposure category, allowing for a slightly longer burn time of 15 minutes. The warmer months show a clear pattern of elevated UV exposure, peaking in summer, while the later months like October and November again return to extreme levels, emphasizing the need for consistent sun protection throughout the year. For more details, check the full Cape Town UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
January in Cape Town basks in an impressive 339 hours of sunshine, setting the stage for a vibrant summer. This sun-soaked trend continues into February, peaking at 358 hours, before slightly tapering off in March with 355 hours. As autumn approaches, daylight begins to dwindle, with April offering 314 hours and May further reducing to 292 hours. The cooler months of June and July see a dip to 266 and 287 hours respectively, but as spring unfolds in August, sunlight brightens again at 311 hours. The city's sunshine hours move gracefully through the months, with a remarkable surge in the late year; October hits 373 hours, November dazzles with 390 hours, and December culminates in a fantastic 422 hours. This clear seasonal contrast paints Cape Town as a canvas of warmth, inviting sun enthusiasts to relish the long, sunny days, especially as the year draws to a close.
In Cape Town, January shines as one of the sunniest months of the year, boasting an impressive 81% chance of sunny weather, a trend that continues into February with the same level of brightness. This remarkable sunshine reduces significantly in the following months, particularly from March through May, where the likelihood dips to around 51-56%. As winter approaches from June to August, the sun's presence starts to slightly recover, though it remains below the summer highs. Overall, January stands out as a prime time to soak in the sun before the cloudier months roll in, making it an ideal destination for sun-seekers.
In Cape Town, South Africa, January is a time of abundant sunshine, with an impressive 14 hours of daylight igniting the summer spirit. As the days gradually shorten, February follows with 13 hours, hinting at the impending transition to autumn. By March, daylight dips to 12 hours, which continues to decrease to 11 hours in April and reaches 10 hours in May. The winter months of June and July bring the least sunlight, with just 9 and 10 hours, respectively, inviting cozy indoor activities. However, as August and September roll in, daylight begins to extend once again, blossoming to 11 hours in September. A steady increase is observed into October and November, where daylight returns to 12 and 13 hours. Finally, December brings the year full circle back to 14 hours, allowing Capetonians to bask in summer's warmth once more, creating a beautiful rhythm of light and seasonality.
In January, Cape Town enjoys a brisk average wind speed of 6.5 m/s (15 mph), making it one of the windiest months of the year. This lively breeze often carries the warmth of summer, enticing both locals and tourists to explore the coastal beauty. As the months progress, the wind tends to ease slightly; February sees a minor dip to 6.4 m/s (14 mph), followed by a more significant drop to 5.3 m/s (12 mph) in March. The trend continues into the cooler months, reaching its lowest point in May at 4.0 m/s (9 mph). Interestingly, as winter rolls in, the wind begins to pick up again, stabilizing around 4.5 to 5.7 m/s (10 to 13 mph) from June to November. By December, the winds dance back up to 6.0 m/s (13 mph), hinting at the energetic start of the new year. Overall, January sets the tone with its spirited winds, drawing a sharp contrast to the calmer, gentler breezes of mid-year.
Weather in Cape Town varies notably across the year, with each month offering distinct climate conditions. This page compares January’s weather to other months in Cape Town, focusing on differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and UV levels.
January and February in Cape Town share a similar temperature profile, with January experiencing minimums of 15°C (59°F), an average of 20°C (68°F), and maximums reaching 28°C (82°F). February, on the other hand, has slightly lower maximum temperatures at 27°C (81°F) while maintaining the same minimum and average temperatures as January. Both months see minimal precipitation, with January recording 14 mm (0.6 in) over 2 days and February slightly lower at 10 mm (0.4 in) over the same number of days. Humidity is also slightly higher in February at 80% compared to January's 77%. For more detailed information, check out Cape Town weather in February.
In January, Cape Town experiences relatively warm weather with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 15°C (59°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F) and an average of 20°C (68°F). The month typically sees low precipitation levels, with only 14 mm (0.6 in) falling over just two days and humidity averaging 77%. In contrast, March has slightly cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 13°C (56°F) and an average of 19°C (66°F), while still reaching a maximum of 28°C (82°F). However, March experiences increased rainfall, totaling 24 mm (1.0 in) over four days, and humidity also rises to 81%. Overall, while both months can reach similar high temperatures, January tends to be drier and a bit warmer compared to the wetter conditions of March. For more detailed information, you can check Cape Town weather in March.
In January, Cape Town experiences warmer temperatures, with an average of 20°C (68°F) and maximums reaching up to 28°C (82°F). The month sees relatively low precipitation, with only 14 mm (0.6 in) over 2 days, and a humidity level of 77%. In contrast, April brings cooler temperatures, with an average of 17°C (63°F) and maximums climbing to 31°C (88°F). The month is wetter, accumulating 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain over 5 days, and the humidity increases slightly to 80%. For more detailed insights, check out Cape Town weather in April.
In January, the weather is warm with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 15°C (59°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F), averaging around 20°C (68°F). The month sees only a small amount of precipitation, totaling 14 mm (0.6 in) over just 2 days, while humidity hovers at a comfortable 77%. In contrast, May experiences cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 9°C (48°F), an average of 16°C (60°F), and a maximum of 25°C (78°F). Precipitation increases significantly in May, totaling 63 mm (2.5 in) over 7 days, and humidity remains slightly higher at 78%. For more detailed insights, check out this Cape Town weather in May.
When comparing the weather in January and June, notable differences emerge in both temperature and precipitation. January features a warmer climate with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 15°C (59°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F) and only 14 mm (0.6 in) of rainfall over just 2 days. In contrast, June experiences cooler temperatures, with averages between 9°C (48°F) and 23°C (74°F), along with significantly higher precipitation of 103 mm (4.1 in) spread across 11 days. Despite the increased rainfall, humidity levels remain relatively similar, with June at 79% compared to January's 77%. For more details on June weather in Cape Town, visit Cape Town weather in June.
January weather in Cape Town is characterized by warm temperatures, with minimums around 15°C (59°F) and average highs reaching 28°C (82°F). The month experiences relatively low precipitation, totaling just 14 mm (0.6 in) over about 2 days, and the humidity hovers at 77%. In contrast, July presents a cooler climate, marked by a minimum temperature of 7°C (45°F) and an average of 14°C (57°F), with maximums reaching up to 24°C (75°F). This month is significantly wetter, with precipitation totaling 95 mm (3.7 in) across approximately 10 days, accompanied by a slightly higher humidity of 80%. For more details, check out Cape Town weather in July.
In January, Cape Town enjoys warm temperatures with a minimum of 15°C (59°F) and an average high of 28°C (82°F), complemented by low precipitation of just 14 mm over two days. The humidity hovers at a comfortable 77%, creating a pleasant summer atmosphere. In contrast, August brings cooler conditions, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 8°C (46°F) to a maximum of 24°C (76°F) and a significant increase in rainfall to 75 mm over 11 days. Despite the drop in temperature, the humidity remains consistent at 77%, making it a notably wetter month. For more detailed insights, you can check Cape Town weather in August.
January and September in Cape Town present two distinct weather profiles. In January, temperatures range from a minimum of 15°C (59°F) to a maximum of 28°C (82°F), with fairly low precipitation of 14 mm (0.6 in) occurring over just 2 days, and humidity levels around 77%. In contrast, September experiences cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 9°C (48°F) and an average of 15°C (59°F), while still peaking at 28°C (82°F). However, it sees significantly more rainfall, totaling 45 mm (1.8 in) across 8 days, with humidity slightly lower at 76%. For more details about the weather in September, check out this link: Cape Town weather in September.
In January, Cape Town experiences warmer temperatures with a minimum of 15°C (59°F) and an average of 20°C (68°F), reaching a maximum of 28°C (82°F). The month sees less precipitation, totaling only 14 mm (0.6 in) over just 2 days, while humidity remains relatively high at 77%. In contrast, October presents cooler conditions, with a minimum of 11°C (51°F) and an average of 16°C (61°F), though it can still warm up to a high of 27°C (81°F). The rainfall increases significantly to 41 mm (1.6 in) across 5 days, yet humidity remains consistent at 77%. For more detailed information about the October weather, you can visit Cape Town weather in October.
In comparing the weather of January and November, January boasts warmer temperatures with a minimum of 15°C (59°F) and an average of 20°C (68°F), peaking at 28°C (82°F). In contrast, November experiences slightly cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 12°C (53°F) and a maximum of 25°C (77°F), resulting in an average of 17°C (64°F). Additionally, January sees less precipitation, with only 14 mm (0.6 in) over just 2 days, while November is wetter, recording 33 mm (1.3 in) across 5 days. Despite the increased rainfall, November maintains a slightly lower humidity of 75% compared to January's 77%. For more details on November weather, you can check out Cape Town weather in November.
In January, Cape Town experiences slightly warmer temperatures compared to December, with an average of 20°C (68°F) compared to December's 19°C (66°F). Both months share similar maximum temperatures at 28°C (82°F), but January typically sees less precipitation, receiving only 14 mm (0.6 in) over 2 days, while December receives 26 mm (1.0 in) over 5 days. Humidity remains consistent at 77% in both months, making January a drier and marginally warmer option for those looking to visit. For more details, check out Cape Town weather in December.
In January, Cape Town basks in warm, inviting weather that sets it apart from the cooler, wetter months of the year. With temperatures averaging around 20°C (68°F), this summer month provides ideal conditions for outdoor activities, all while experiencing significantly low precipitation, averaging only 14 mm over just two days. The humidity level, though slightly elevated at 77%, is tempered by the refreshing breezes from the ocean, making the heat much more enjoyable. As the city pulses with life, January is undeniably a peak time for visitors to enjoy the beauty of Cape Town's stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. For a deeper understanding of what to expect throughout the year, check out Cape Town Climate.