January weather forecast
South Africa

January in South Africa marks the middle of summer and is often considered the hottest month of the year, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C (86°F) in inland regions such as Pretoria and Johannesburg. Conversely, coastal regions like Cape Town and Durban experience milder conditions due to cooling sea breezes, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 26°C (78.8°F). The Atlantic Ocean's cold Benguela current helps keep temperatures moderate in cities along the west coast.

Additionally, January is one of the wettest months for the majority of the country, excluding the Western Cape. In Johannesburg, the Highveld region's summer rainfall pattern typically results in afternoon thunderstorms, leading to an average precipitation of 125mm (4.92") for the month. In contrast, the Western Cape remains relatively dry with only about 15mm (0.59") of rainfall, as its Mediterranean climate brings rain mainly during the winter months.

Contrasting to December, the previous month, January typically sees a slight increase in both temperature and rainfall, making it peak summer with the accompanying high humidity in many regions. Looking forward, February usually maintains similar conditions to January, though with a subtle decrease in rainfall as South Africa starts to transition out of its primary rainy season.

It's also noteworthy that January's weather, particularly the high temperatures and thunderstorms, may affect wildlife patterns. Many animals seek shelter during the hottest part of the day and during heavy rains, making early morning and late afternoon the ideal times for wildlife spotting in reserves such as the Kruger National Park.

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• Johannesburg - January »
  In Johannesburg, South Africa, in January, during 15.9 rainfall days, 125mm (4.92") of precipitation is typically accumulated. On the first day of January in Johannesburg sunrise is at 05:18 and sunset at 19:03.
• Cape Town - January »
  January is the month with the warmest seawater with an average sea temperature of 18.5°C (65.3°F). On the first day of January sunrise is at 05:38 and sunset at 20:00.
• Pretoria - January »
  January, marked by an average high-temperature of 28.7°C (83.7°F) and a low-temperature of 17.5°C (63.5°F), is the warmest month in Pretoria, South Africa. January through March, October through December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in Pretoria, South Africa.
• Durban - January »
  In Durban in January, during 21.9 rainfall days, 72mm (2.83") of precipitation is typically accumulated. In Durban during January, the rain falls for 21.9 days and regularly aggregates up to 72mm (2.83") of precipitation.
• Port Elizabeth - January »
  With an average sea temperature of 22.1°C (71.8°F), January is the month with the warmest seawater in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The months with the highest humidity in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, are January, February and December, with an average relative humidity of 76%.
• Bloemfontein - January »
  The transition from December, with its temperatures reaching around 29.8°C (85.6°F), is gentle, making January's heat predictable for Bloemfontein, South Africa. The month with the most rainfall in Bloemfontein is January, when the rain falls for 11.5 days and typically aggregates up to 48mm (1.89") of precipitation.
• Nelspruit - January »
  The month with the most rainfall in Nelspruit is January, when the rain falls for 20.4 days and typically aggregates up to 89mm (3.5") of precipitation. The average relative humidity in January in Nelspruit is 79%.
• Kimberley - January »
  Despite January's temperatures being some of the highest in Kimberley the region observes comparetively low amounts of rainfall. In Kimberley in January, it is raining for 8.8 days, with typically 31mm (1.22") of accumulated precipitation.
• Polokwane - January »
  On the last day of January, in Polokwane sunrise is at 05:39 and sunset at 18:51 SAST. The warmest period in Polokwane tends to be January, when average temperatures fluctuate between a high of 28.1°C (82.6°F) and a low of 17.1°C (62.8°F).
• Pietermaritzburg - January »
  The month with the most rainfall in Pietermaritzburg is January, when the rain falls for 22 days and typically aggregates up to 155mm (6.1") of precipitation. January, February, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 12, are months with the highest UV index in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
• East London - January »
  In comparison to December, the weather in East London maintains a steady pattern of high humidity and significant rainfall during January. In East London, South Africa, the average relative humidity in January is 78%.
• Rustenburg - January »
  The month of January sees the average highest temperatures in Rustenburg, reaching 29.3°C (84.7°F) at the peak and 18°C (64.4°F) at the low. Rustenburg's year starts off with fairly temperate weather as January shows signs of significant humidity and slightly higher temperatures.