January weather forecast
Cape Town, South Africa

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Cape Town, South Africa, with the surrounding calm clear waters and several mountains
Cape Town, South Africa, with the surrounding calm clear waters and several mountains

Weather in January

In this commencement of the year, Cape Town experiences peak summer conditions. The sea around this coastal city remains at a perfect 18.5°C (65.3°F) easing access to a variety of water activities. Most days in January are sunny, attributing to high temperatures and minimum rainfall. Visitors and locals alike can fully plunge into outdoor activities due to the predominant clear skies and moderate humidity. Comparatively, the heat and sunshine noticeably slightly drop by the end of the month to transition into February.

Temperature

Cape Town signifies an average high-temperature of a still warm 25.8°C (78.4°F) in January, closely mirroring the 24.3°C (75.7°F) of December. In Cape Town, the January nights cool down to an average low of 17.7°C (63.9°F).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in January is 69%.

Rainfall

In January, the rain falls for 6.7 days. Throughout January, 9mm (0.35") of precipitation is accumulated. Throughout the year, in Cape Town, there are 111 rainfall days, and 435mm (17.13") of precipitation is accumulated.

Sea temperature

The month with the warmest seawater in Cape Town is January, with an average sea temperature of 18.5°C (65.3°F).
Note: Swimming is not a pleasant activity for most when the water temperature is 18.5°C (65.3°F). As the water temperature drops from 21°C (69.8°F) to 15°C (59°F), breathing becomes more difficult to control.

Daylight

In Cape Town, South Africa, the average length of the day in January is 14h and 7min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 05:38 and sunset at 20:00. On the last day of January, sunrise is at 06:06 and sunset at 19:52 SAST.

Sunshine

In Cape Town, the average sunshine in January is 11h.

UV index

The months with the highest UV index are January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6. A UV Index reading of 6 to 7 represents a high health vulnerability from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for average individuals.
Note: A maximum high daily UV index of 6 during January translates into the following directions:
Embrace precautions and observe sun safety norms. Evasion of sunburn is a necessity. Attempt to stay under shade and limit exposure to the Sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV radiation is at its peak. Remember, devices such as parasols or canopies might not provide complete sun protection. It's wise to wear UVA and UVB-blocking sunglasses when the sun shines brightly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average January temperature in Cape Town?

In Cape Town, 25.8°C (78.4°F) is the average high-temperature and 17.7°C (63.9°F) is the average low-temperature during January.

What is the average humidity in January in Cape Town?

The average relative humidity in January is 69%.

How many days does it rain in January in Cape Town?

In January, in Cape Town, South Africa, the rain falls for 6.7 days. Throughout January, 9mm (0.35") of precipitation is accumulated.

What is the month with the warmest sea water in Cape Town?

January is the month with the warmest seawater in Cape Town, South Africa, with an average sea temperature of 18.5°C (65.3°F).

How cold is the water in January in Cape Town?

In January, the average sea temperature in Cape Town, South Africa, is 18.5°C (65.3°F). For most, swimming in 18.5°C (65.3°F) is not an enjoyable activity. Furthermore, controlling your breathing becomes progressively more difficult as the water temperature decreases from 21°C (69.8°F) to 15°C (59°F).

How many hours of daylight does Cape Town have in January?

In January, the average day length in Cape Town is 14h and 7min.

When are sunrise and sunset in January in Cape Town?

On the first day of January in Cape Town, South Africa, sunrise is at 05:38 and sunset at 20:00. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 06:06 and sunset at 19:52 SAST.

How long on average sun shines in January in Cape Town?

In January, the average sunshine duration in Cape Town, South Africa, is 11h.

What is the month with the highest UV index in Cape Town?

January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in Cape Town, South Africa.

How high is the UV index in January in Cape Town?

In January, the average daily maximum UV index in Cape Town is 6. A UV Index estimate of 6 to 7 represents a high health vulnerability from exposure to Sun's UV rays.

Average temperature in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average temperature in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average high temperature in January: 25.8°C

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is February (26.1°C).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is August (16.6°C).

  • Average low temperature in January: 17.7°C

The month with the highest average low temperature is January (17.7°C).
The coldest months (with the lowest average low temperature) are July and August (10.2°C).

Average pressure in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average pressure in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average pressure in January: 1013.6mbar

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is July (1022mbar).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is February (1013.4mbar).

Average wind speed in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average wind speed in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average wind speed in January: 17.6km/h

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (17.6km/h).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is May (13.4km/h).

Average humidity in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average humidity in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average humidity in January: 69%

The months with the highest relative humidity are June, August and September (74%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are February, April and December (68%).

Average rainfall in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average rainfall in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average rainfall in January: 9mm

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (98mm).
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is February (7mm).

Average rainfall days in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average rainfall days in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average rainfall days in January: 6.7 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is June (13.8 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (4.9 days).

Average sea temperature in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average sea temperature in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average sea temperature in January: 18.5°C

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is January (18.5°C).
The coldest months (with the lowest average sea temperature) are July, August and September (15.3°C).

Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average daylight in January / Average sunshine in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average daylight in January: 14h and 1min

The month with the longest days is December (Average daylight: 14h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is June (Average daylight: 9h and 54min).

  • Average sunshine in January: 11h and 0min

The month with the most sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 11h and 6min).
The month with the least sunshine is June (Average sunshine: 6h and 0min).

Average sunshine days in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average sunshine days in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average sunshine days in January: 23.1 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (23.1 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is June (14.6 days).

Average UV index in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average UV index in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average UV index in January: 6

The months with the highest UV index are January, February and December (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index 4).

Average cloud cover in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average cloud cover in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average cloud cover in January: 17

The month with the most cloud cover is June (Cloud cover 34).
The month with the least cloud cover is February (Cloud cover 15).

Average visibility in January
Cape Town, South Africa

Average visibility in January - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average visibility in January: 10km

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (10km).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (10km).

Cape Town, South Africa

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