May 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 May

May in Cape Town marks the full swing of the autumn season. It results in a remarkable increase in rainfall to an average of 46mm (1.81"), the first significant rise in the year. The cooler temperatures stick around, the skies turn more clear, and the city sprawls in shades of red and orange; bearing an enchanting view for photography lovers. As the city transits into June, the temperatures plummet, and the rainy season is on the horizon, starting the winter season.

Temperature

Cape Town transitions into May recording an average high-temperature of a comfortable 19.7°C (67.5°F), closely aligning with the preceding month's temperature. Throughout the nights in May, Cape Town experiences an average low-temperature of 13.1°C (55.6°F).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in May is 73%.

Rainfall

In May, the rain falls for 11.1 days. Throughout May, 46mm (1.81") 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

In Cape Town, in May, the average water temperature is 16.4°C (61.5°F).
Note: The enjoyment of swimming decreases for most when the surface water temperature is 16.4°C (61.5°F). Breathing control becomes increasingly challenging as temperatures descend below 21°C (69.8°F).

Daylight

The average length of the day in May is 10h and 22min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 07:21 and sunset at 18:05. On the last day of May, sunrise is at 07:42 and sunset at 17:45 SAST.

Sunshine

The average sunshine in May is 6.5h.

UV index

May through September, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the lowest UV index in Cape Town, South Africa. A UV Index of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate health risk from unprotected exposure to Sun's UV rays for the ordinary person.
Note: A daily high UV index of 4 in May leads to these guidelines:
Guard yourself - Avoiding sunburn is suggested. The Sun's most harmful UV rays are emitted around midday; avoid staying outdoors for long during this time. On days when the sun blazes, arm yourself with sunglasses that block UVA and UVB radiation.

Frequently asked questions

What are the temperatures in Cape Town in May?

During May, Cape Town experiences an average high-temperature of 19.7°C (67.5°F) and a low-temperature of 13.1°C (55.6°F).

What is the average humidity in May in Cape Town?

In May, the average relative humidity in Cape Town is 73%.

How much does it rain in Cape Town in May?

In May, the rain falls for 11.1 days. Throughout May, 46mm (1.81") of precipitation is accumulated.

What is the sea temperature in May in Cape Town?

In May, the average sea temperature in Cape Town is 16.4°C (61.5°F). For swimming, a surface water temperature of 16.4°C (61.5°F) is not enjoyable for the majority. It is not considered safe, as controlling breathing becomes progressively more difficult as water temperature decreases below 21°C (69.8°F).

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

In May, the average day length in Cape Town, South Africa, is 10h and 22min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in May in Cape Town?

On the first day of May, sunrise is at 07:21 and sunset at 18:05. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 07:42 and sunset at 17:45 SAST.

How many hours of sunshine does Cape Town have in May?

In Cape Town, the average sunshine duration in May is 6.5h.

When is the lowest UV index in Cape Town?

May through September, with an average maximum UV index of 4, are months with the lowest UV index in Cape Town, South Africa.

What is the UV index reading in May in Cape Town?

In May, the average daily maximum UV index in Cape Town, South Africa, is 4. A UV Index value of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate health threat from unprotected exposure to UV radiation.

Average temperature in May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average temperature in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average high temperature in May: 19.7°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 May: 13.1°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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average pressure in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average pressure in May: 1018.1mbar

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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average wind speed in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average wind speed in May: 13.4km/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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average humidity in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average humidity in May: 73%

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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average rainfall in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average rainfall in May: 46mm

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

Average rainfall days in May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average rainfall days in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average rainfall days in May: 11.1 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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average sea temperature in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average sea temperature in May: 16.4°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 May /
Average sunshine in May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average daylight in May / Average sunshine in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average daylight in May: 10h and 2min

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 May: 6h and 3min

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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average sunshine days in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average sunshine days in May: 18.4 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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average UV index in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average UV index in May: 4

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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average cloud cover in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average cloud cover in May: 31

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 May
Cape Town, South Africa

Average visibility in May - Cape Town, South Africa
  • Average visibility in May: 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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