The climate of Sun City
Characterized by Köppen climate classification as a Subtropical Steppe (BSh),
Sun City,
South Africa is found to be under the influence of a predominantly semi-arid weather system. With mild to high temperatures throughout the year and a scarcity of rainfall, the city experiences a moderate climate.
In terms of general weather trends, Sun City witnesses the highest temperatures in
January and
February with a peak of 29.3°C (84.7°F) and 28.8°C (83.8°F) respectively while the coldest month is
July with a low of 6.3°C (43.3°F). Speaking of temperatures at night, they drop to the lowest in July, reaching 6.3°C (43.3°F), whereas in winters it goes up to 18°C (64.4°F). It's important to note the diurnal temperature range between day and night can be considerable due to the semi-arid climate.
As for the rainfall trends, there is an evident contrast. The city experiences the most rain in January with 83mm (3.27") and the least during
June and July with only 1mm (0.04"). This certainly sets a clear wet and dry season pattern in the city's weather dynamics. On similar lines, January has the most rainy days, approximately 20.7 days, and July has the least with just 1.3 days.
Specific highlights in terms of unique weather patterns include the low relative humidity from June to
October, dipping to 32% in
September, which makes the air considerably dry.
March, with a wind speed of 7km/h (4.3mph), experiences the calmest conditions regarding the wind while the most robust winds blow at a speed of 10.6km/h (6.6mph) in October.
The best time to visit Sun City
Considering the aggregated climatic factors, the optimal period for visiting
Sun City is likely to be between
September and
November. During these months, the temperature circumstances are relatively moderate, with highs ascending to 22.7°C (72.9°F) in September, 27°C (80.6°F) in
October, and 28.8°C (83.8°F) in November. Temperatures during this time are comforting and conducive for tourism-related activities. There is minimal rainfall, reaching 4mm (0.16"), 32mm (1.26"), and 63mm (2.48") respectively, thus indicating a lower chance of encountering a rainy day which further enhances sightseeing possibilities.
The worst time to visit Sun City
The least favorable period to explore
Sun City can be between
June and
August. This time signifies the peak of the South African winter. Low temperatures go down to 6.7°C (44.1°F) in June, 6.3°C (43.3°F) in
July, and 8.6°C (47.5°F) in August. Wind speed also sees a gradual acceleration to 8km/h (5mph) in June, 9.5km/h (5.9mph) in July, and 10.1km/h (6.3mph) in August, making outdoor activities slightly daunting due to the cold and wind. Nevertheless, Sun City has relatively milder winters compared to various other South African cities.
Spring weather in Sun City
Spring in
Sun City starts in
September and lasts until
November. This period brings along weather comfort marked by a steady increase in the day's length and temperature. Daylight hours extend from 10.9 hours in
August to 11.3 hours in September, 12 hours in
October, and 12.7 hours in November. The UV index rises steadily from 4 to 5 in September and remains at 6 in October and November. The weather remains dry with humidity stability, which augments the conditions for tourism.
Summer weather in Sun City
From
December to
February,
Sun City basks in the warmth of the summer. The temperatures reach their maximum with values shifting from 29.1°C (84.4°F) in December to 29.3°C (84.7°F) in
January and 28.8°C (83.8°F) in February. Rainfall during this period is relatively high with approximately 95mm (3.74") in December, 83mm (3.27") in January, and 53mm (2.09") in February. The warmer months hence coincide with the rainiest ones, resulting in a warm and wet summer.
Autumn weather in Sun City
The autumn months of
March to
May in
Sun City are characterized by decreasing temperatures and gradually dwindling rainfall. Values of temperature go from a high of 27.6°C (81.7°F) in March, to 24.4°C (75.9°F) in
April, and down to 22.4°C (72.3°F) in May. Correspondingly, rainfall diminishes from 41mm (1.61") in March to 30mm (1.18") in April, reaching the minimal value of 5mm (0.2") in May. The autumn season is therefore perceived as the transition between the warm and wet summer to the milder and dry winter.
Winter weather in Sun City
June,
July, and
August mark the winter season in
Sun City. During this period, the city experiences the lowest temperatures, which decline to 19.2°C (66.6°F) in June, 18.9°C (66°F) in July, and increase marginally to 22.7°C (72.9°F) in August. These months register the least rainfall, with almost negligible prevalence in June and July with 1mm (0.04"), while August sees a slight upsurge with 1mm (0.04"). Winters are thereby characterized as cool and extremely dry. On an interesting note, despite being the coldest period, the presence of sunshine even in winters is considerable, standing at 10.6 hours in June, 10.7 hours in July, and 11.3 hours in August.
Weather in January
Sun City in
January offers characteristically warm days, with temperatures peaking at 29.3°C (84.7°F). This month holds the highest average humidity level of all other months, a factor that contributes to the warm and moist atmosphere encountered.
Weather in January » Weather in February
In
February,
Sun City continues to experience the summer weather carried over from
January, yet with slightly cooler temperatures. Rainfall quantities tend to decrease compared to January, signaling the transition towards the drier months.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March in
Sun City bears witness to continued decline in temperatures, now maxing at 27.6°C (81.7°F), ushering in the autumn season. This change is accompanied by a decrease in rainfall intensity, making for less humid days. Despite lesser moisture, cloud coverage remains relatively consistent, maintaining the ever-changing skyline.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
In
April, the city experiences further cooling rates, easing into comfortable weather conditions. Rainfall becomes even more sporadic, paving the way for drier conditions and less humid situations. Gradual fall in daylight hours becomes noticeable in April, leading to shorter days and longer evenings.
Weather in April »Weather in May
Sun City ushers in the month of
May with perceptible changes in weather patterns. It noticeably becomes one of the driest months of the year, with rainfall dropping to a mere 5mm (0.2"), setting the stage for a dry atmosphere. The reduction in humidity, coupled with cooler temperatures, enhances the appeal of outdoor activities, such as safari rides.
Weather in May » Weather in June
The onset of winter is marked in
June, with
Sun City experiencing a considerable dip in temperatures. The city also witnesses the lowest average relative humidity among all months, making the air arid and crisp. A reduction in daylight hours is more noticeable; however, the cooler weather makes for comfortable day-time roaming.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
In
July,
Sun City continues to be deep within its winter season. The temperatures tend to be on the cooler side; however, the absence of rainfall makes up for it by providing dry and clear days. The amount of sunlight also sees a slight increase, despite the overall cool weather prevailing.
Weather in July »Weather in August
With
Sun City transitioning slowly into spring in
August, a slight but noticeable rise in temperatures can be perceived. The extensive absence of rainfall still persists in August, resulting in a dry atmosphere dominating the city.
Weather in August »Weather in September
As spring comes into full view in
September,
Sun City experiences further warmth with temperatures scaling up to 27°C (80.6°F). An increase in rainfall volume becomes evident, signaling the advent of a slightly wetter season.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
In
October, the weather in
Sun City sets the stage for the approaching summer season. The increase in temperatures endorsed by the relative spike in humidity gives rise to a warm atmosphere. The onset of seasonal rains is more evident, with increased rainfall recorded.
Weather in October »Weather in November
As summer approaches in Nov,
Sun City experiences one of its warmest months. The consistent increase in temperature, supported by a noticeable rise in humidity, manifests in a hot climate. Concurrently, the advent of the rainy season is affirmed with increased rainfall.
Weather in November »Weather in December
The culmination of the year sees
Sun City in full swing of its summer season in
December. Climbing temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall make for a tropical atmosphere. Despite the rain, daylight and sunshine hours peak, marking the longest day of the year during the December solstice.
Weather in December »