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Johannesburg, South Africa · Temperate

Johannesburg: best months to visit

September (9.0/10) · December (7.9/10).

📅 Data updated: October 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 26.20°S · 28.05°E
⚡ Quick answer
September
Depends on your goals
9.0/10
☀️ Sep
Top score (9.0/10)
🌤️ Aug
Alt. (8.6/10)
Dec
Plus rude (7.9/10)
🏛️ Heritage🌦️ Moderate rain
Photo par Steffen Lemmerzahl via Unsplash
Decide

When to visit Johannesburg?

The decision rests on several criteria. Climate score, tourist crowds and feasible activities.

Verdict: In Johannesburg, September and August clearly stand out. December concentrates the least favorable conditions.
Top & avoid
🏆 September · 9.0 August · 8.6 October · 8.5 January · 8.2 December · 7.9
8.2
Jan
8.2
Feb
8.1
Mar
8.1
Apr
8.2
May
8.0
Jun
8.0
Jul
8.6
Aug
9.0
Sep
8.5
Oct
8.2
Nov
7.9
Dec
Best period · ≥ 7 Decent period · 4 – 7 Tough conditions · < 4

What you grasp in 5 seconds

Johannesburg offers 12 comfortable months, without any month really to avoid. The gap stays moderate: 9.0 in September vs 7.9 in December.

What to check next

Your tolerance for crowds and budget. The best months concentrate tourist saturation and higher prices. Shoulder seasons offer a good compromise.

Next action

Scroll down to the detailed table to compare month by month, then open the page of the month that interests you.

How we calculate the score

The score combines 4 weighted criteria using 10 years of real climate data (ERA5).

Source : ERA5 · Open-Meteo · 10 years (2016–2025) · Full methodology →

Understand

Compare all 12 months

Month-by-month details: temperature, rain, sunshine, score and verdict.

✅ 12 comfortable months (Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec)
MonthT° minT° maxRain %mm/daySunScoreVerdict
☀️ January →59°F77°F33%3.9mm8.1h8.2/10Best period
☀️ February →59°F77°F30%4.2mm8.0h8.2/10Best period
☀️ March →55°F75°F26%2.0mm7.7h8.1/10Best period
☀️ April →52°F70°F16%2.1mm7.9h8.1/10Best period
☀️ May →45°F68°F6%0.5mm8.9h8.2/10Best period
☀️ June →41°F64°F4%0.3mm8.9h8.0/10Best period
☀️ July →39°F63°F1%0.1mm9.2h8.0/10Best period
☀️ August →45°F70°F3%0.2mm9.2h8.6/10Best period
☀️ September →50°F77°F6%0.4mm9.4h9.0/10Best period
☀️ October →54°F79°F23%1.4mm8.7h8.5/10Best period
☀️ November →55°F79°F35%2.8mm8.3h8.2/10Best period
☀️ December →59°F77°F41%3.8mm8.5h7.9/10Best period
📊 Quick read
Optimal window
Jan → Dec
Good transition
—
Tough period
none
🌡️ Detailed conditions (September)
🌡️ Feel
Comfortable
☀️ UV
7.5 · Moderate-Strong
💧 Humidity feel
33°F · Dry
☔ Rain
6% · 0.4 mm/day
🌅 Sunshine
9.4h/day
10-year trend

Annual temperatures — Johannesburg

Min/max temperature curves observed over the past 10 years (ERA5). Shows climate stability and trend.

T° maxT° meanT° min46°50°54°57°61°64°68°72°75°201620172018201920202021202220232024202575°F — decade peak (2024)+-0.08°F / decade
Tailor

For your trip

A few angles depending on what kind of trip you are planning.

🏛️ Heritage🍴 Gastronomy☔ Indoor sights
Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🎟️ Activities & tours · Johannesburg

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · South Africa

🗣️LanguageZulu
💶CurrencySouth African Rand (R)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthOctober · 79°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 63°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 41%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
☔Indoor sights ⓘYear-round
🚇Public transportGood
Explore

Related destinations & guides

If this destination doesn't fit your dates, here are alternatives and guides.

Location

Where is Johannesburg ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Temperate climate with a 9.0 → 7.9 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
26.20°S · 28.05°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
September is the best month with 77°F highs, 50°F lows, 9.4h of sunshine and 6.0% rainy days. The months of September & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Johannesburg get in September?
Johannesburg averages 9.4 sunshine hours per day in September. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in Johannesburg?
July is the most unfavourable month with July has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Johannesburg in September?
In September, overnight lows reach 50°F, while afternoon highs average 77°F.
Is Johannesburg good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Johannesburg scores 7.6/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains September with a score of 8.7/10.
When should you avoid Johannesburg?
July is the most difficult month to visit Johannesburg, with July has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.