Is the weather good in South Africa in May 2025?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in South Africa during May have been around +20°C.
In South Africa the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +20°C in Durban to +19°C in Cape Town. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in May
- rainiest? Cape Town, with an average of 2 mm of rain and humidity of 79%;
- warmest? Durban, with daytime temperatures averaging +23°C;
- windiest? Cape Town, with an average of 4 m/s;
- coolest? Cape Town, with daytime temperatures averaging +19°C;
How good is the weather in South Africa in May?
How warm is it in South Africa during May?
This is how hot it usually is in May
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +20°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +12°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +21°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +11°C;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: January with an average +25°C during the day;
- Coldest: July with an average +18°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: February in Durban;
- Coldest month in coolest city: June in Cape Town;
Winds in South Africa during May
May tends to offer light winds averaging 2 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in May:
- Highest average wind speed: Cape Town with 5 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Johannesburg with 1 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Cape Town with 4 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Johannesburg with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in South Africa in May
Comparison between cities in May:
- Highest average rainfall: Cape Town with 65 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Johannesburg with 18 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Cape Town with 12 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Johannesburg with 5 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Cape Town with 39%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Johannesburg with 16%;
- Highest average humidity: Cape Town with 79%;
- Lowest average humidity: Johannesburg with 61%;
Tips for traveling to South Africa in May
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for South Africa? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the South Africa based on the weather that May is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for May
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
What can you do outside when it's warm in South Africa?
Is May a good time to visit South Africa?
Monthly weather in South Africa
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in South Africa, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.