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Best time to visit Johannesburg: month by month
Short answer
The most pleasant months are March to May and September to November, with highs of 19–26°C and mostly dry days; jacarandas bloom purple in October. Summer (December–February) brings afternoon thunderstorms on 17–19 days a month. Winter (June–August) is sunny and dry at 17–20°C by day but near freezing at night.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°C | 14°C | 17 | low |
| Feb | 24°C | 14°C | 17 | medium |
| Mar | 24°C | 13°C | 9 | medium |
| Apr | 22°C | 10°C | 5 | medium |
| May | 19°C | 7°C | 4 | medium |
| Jun | 17°C | 4°C | 3 | medium |
| Jul | 17°C | 4°C | 0 | medium |
| Aug | 20°C | 6°C | 1 | medium |
| Sep | 25°C | 10°C | 2 | high |
| Oct | 26°C | 12°C | 7 | high |
| Nov | 25°C | 13°C | 13 | medium |
| Dec | 24°C | 14°C | 19 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs of 25–26°C, lows of 10–13°C; dry September, then storms build through November (about 13 rainy days); jacarandas in October.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Warm at 24–25°C, lows of 14°C, with afternoon thunderstorms on 17–19 days a month.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Highs fall from 24°C to 19°C and rain drops from 9 to 4 days a month; clear, settled weather.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Sunny and almost dry, with highs of 17–20°C and lows of 4–6°C; nights can be frosty, and many homes are unheated.
Events worth planning around
- Jacaranda season across Johannesburg and Pretoria (October).
- Joburg Art Fair (usually September, when held).
- Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival (usually spring, when held).
- Heritage Day with braais and cultural events (24 September).
When to avoid
If you dislike storms, avoid December to February afternoons for outdoor plans. Late December to early January is quiet, with many businesses closed.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Johannesburg?
October for the jacarandas, or April and May for settled, dry weather at around 19–22°C.
Does it rain much in Johannesburg?
Mostly in summer: 17–19 rainy days a month from December to February, usually afternoon thunderstorms. Winter is almost dry.
Is winter cold in Johannesburg?
Days are sunny at 17–20°C, but nights drop to about 4°C, and many buildings lack heating, so bring warm layers.