January Weather in Cape Town

CapeTown -- January weather in Cape Town is high summer. The heat is reaching a peak and the sunny days follow hard on each others heels.

Born and bred Capetonians reckon "summer only starts once the Christmas visitors leave"!

Once the school holidays end –- around mid-January –- everything calms down to a happy buzz, a welcome change from the frenetic Christmas and New Year activity ;o).

Capetonians come out to play again and reclaim their city and beaches at the end of each working day. Weekends are an excuse for all-day beaching.




The Cape Doctor – the prevailing south-easterly summer wind – can be strong so on those days choose activities that embrace the wind (kite surfing and the like) or go for sheltered locations for outdoor activities, like Kirstenbosch Gardens, the Clifton beaches, the Waterfront .

If it all gets too much there are always indoor options!


The rainfall and temperature statistics look like this:

Average daily maximum temperature: 26 degrees C (79 degrees F)

Average daily minimum temperature: 16 degrees C (61 degrees F)

Average monthly rainfall: 15mm (0.6 inches)

Days with > 1 mm rain: 6

The days are at their longest in this month after the Summer Solstice – sunrise around 05h30, sunset 20h00.

The evening twilight is long so you can be on the beach till 21h00 in the light. Sundowners are a standard Cape Town summer pastime.

January Weather in Cape Town -- what to pack?

• swimsuit/s are a no-brainer... :o)
• a broad-brimmed hat
• loads of sun cream and after sun
• shorts, sandals and sleeveless tops
• a light wrap or windbreaker for evenings, plus light trousers or longish skirts

Cape Town is a laid-back city, so informal gear will take you pretty well anywhere. Some of the fancier restaurants may require men to wear trousers and a shirt with a collar, but no-one wears a tie unless it's a formal occasion!


What's on? –- January Events and Festivals in Cape Town

• 2nd January -- Tweede Nuwe Jaar also known as the Cape Minstrel Carnival, the historic Malay celebration of freedom from slavery
• South African School summer holidays end mid January
• Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset concerts every Sunday at 17h30 at the amphitheatre in the Botanical Gardens.
• J & B Met –- Cape Town’s version of Royal Ascot – last weekend of the month.
• Shakespeare in the Park at Maynardville, Wynberg – classic Shakespearean theatre al fresco.