Weather

South Africa boasts an average number of sunshine hours that is among the world’s highest. Its largely temperate climate is influenced by the warm Agulhas current from Mozambique as well as the Indian Ocean to the east and the cold Benguela current from the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast.

Warm, sunny days and cool nights are typical across much of the country for much of the year. Climate conditions range from subtropical in the northeast to a small area of desert in the northwest. Summer temperatures include daytime highs exceeding 30's°C (high 90's°F) in the hottest areas, which can drop below 10°C (50°F) at night, and lower in high elevations. Winters are generally mild, with daytime temperatures often around 20°C (68°C), although temperatures tend to drop dramatically after sunset. Nighttime temperatures can drop below -2°C (27°C), and some areas can get considerably colder.

Most rainfall occurs as a result of warm, moist air currents from the Indian Ocean. Average annual precipitation varies from 400 mm (16 inches) in the east to less than 50 mm (2 inches) in the northwest coastal regions. Rain generally falls during the southern hemispheric summer, November to March, although the mid-winter months of June, July and August can also see rain.