Spring in Cape Town signals the shift from cool, wet winters to warmer, sunnier days. Temperatures climb steadily from the mid-60s °F in September to the mid-70s °F by November, and rainfall drops off as the season moves along.
On average, spring brings mild to warm days, cooler nights, and a steady drop in rain, making it one of the most comfortable times of the year to explore the city.
You’ll notice longer daylight hours and fewer cloudy days by late September. The sea stays pretty chilly for swimming, but the clear skies and fresh air are perfect for outdoor activities, whether you want to hike Table Mountain or check out the Winelands.
Spring feels quieter compared to the busy summer months. With fewer crowds, moderate temperatures, and wildflowers blooming everywhere, the season gives you a nice mix of pleasant weather and space to enjoy Cape Town’s natural beauty.
Overview of Cape Town’s Spring Climate
Spring brings milder temperatures, less rainfall than winter, and more daylight. You’ll see a steady warming trend, clearer skies, and lots more sunshine as you move from September to November.
Mediterranean Climate Characteristics
Cape Town sits in a Mediterranean climate zone, which means dry summers and wet winters. Spring lands right between these two, so you get cool mornings, mild afternoons, and evenings that gradually warm up.
Average daily highs rise from about 64°F (18°C) in early September to 73°F (23°C) by late November. Nights warm up too, moving from around 50°F (10°C) to 60°F (16°C).
Rainfall drops sharply, with monthly averages falling below 1 inch by November. Humidity levels stay low, so the air rarely feels muggy.
Winds from the south pick up more often later in the season, especially in November, when average wind speeds reach about 13 mph. The air feels fresh and clear, which makes outdoor activities comfortable.
Transition from Winter to Spring
Cape Town gets most of its annual rainfall during winter. As spring begins, the chance of a wet day drops quickly from about 20% in September to just 6% in November.
Daylight grows by nearly 3 hours over the season. In early September, the sun sets around 6:30 PM, but by late November, sunsets stretch past 7:40 PM.
Cloud cover fades too. Early September can still feel overcast on about a third of days, but by late November, skies are clear or partly cloudy about 70% of the time.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring is cooler, less crowded, and less windy than summer (December–February). Summer highs often go past 79°F (26°C), but spring sticks to the comfortable low 70s.
Compared to winter (June–August), spring feels much drier and sunnier. Winter highs average only 61°F (16°C) with frequent rain, but spring quickly warms and dries out.
Autumn (March–May) shares mild weather with spring, though daylight hours get shorter instead of longer. Spring, on the other hand, feels more energetic with longer days, greener landscapes, and a clear move toward summer.
Typical Spring Temperatures
Spring in Cape Town brings a steady warming trend, with cool mornings that turn into mild or even warm afternoons. You’ll notice a clear difference between early and late spring as temperatures rise, rain decreases, and daylight stretches out.
Average Daily Highs and Lows
During spring, daily high temperatures climb from about 64°F (18°C) in early September to around 73°F (23°C) by late November. Highs rarely dip below 58°F (14°C) or climb above 81°F (27°C).
Low temperatures also rise, starting near 50°F (10°C) and reaching 60°F (16°C) by the end of the season. Nights stay cool, but not cold, and frost doesn’t threaten Cape Town’s climate.
For reference, the hottest month is usually February, with average highs near 79°F (26°C). The coldest month is July, averaging highs of 62°F (17°C). Spring lands comfortably in between, offering moderate conditions most visitors enjoy.
Monthly Temperature Trends
September often feels like a lingering winter, with cooler mornings and highs in the mid-60s °F. By October, the warming trend becomes obvious, with highs reaching the upper 60s to low 70s °F.
November is the warmest spring month, with highs averaging in the low 70s °F and lows near 60°F. This steady rise makes November feel much closer to summer.
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 64 | 50 |
| October | 68–70 | 54–56 |
| November | 72–73 | 58–60 |
These averages show the shift from mild to comfortably warm. The longer daylight hours also give you more time outside.
Spring Temperature Variability
Spring temperatures in Cape Town tend to stay stable, but you should still expect some ups and downs. Cold fronts sometimes move through in September, bringing cooler days and a bit of rain, but these become rare by November.
Daytime highs and nighttime lows can swing quite a bit. Afternoons may feel warm, but evenings cool quickly after sunset. If you pack layers, you’ll handle these changes easily.
Unlike summer, which can get hot, or winter, which stays wet, spring gives you a balanced mix. You might get a cool, cloudy day, then enjoy several days of clear, warm weather. That variety is part of what makes spring so good for sightseeing and outdoor fun.
Precipitation Patterns in Spring
Spring in Cape Town shifts away from the wetter winter toward drier summer weather. Rainfall becomes less frequent as the season moves forward, and the amount of rain you get depends a lot on the month.
Monthly Rainfall Amounts
During spring, rainfall drops steadily from September through November. September still brings some winter rain, averaging 40–60 mm of precipitation.
By October, totals usually fall to around 30–40 mm, and in November, rainfall often dips below 20–25 mm.
This decline matches Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, where most rain falls in winter. You’ll notice fewer rainy days as spring goes on, so late spring feels much drier than early spring.
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| September | 40–60 mm | Transition from winter rains |
| October | 30–40 mm | Moderate decrease |
| November | 20–25 mm | Approaching dry summer |
Wettest Month in Spring
September usually ends up as the wettest month of spring. You might still hit a few rainy days, as the city shifts out of its winter rainfall cycle.
Cooler temperatures and leftover frontal systems from the Atlantic bring more showers during September than in October or November.
By October, rainfall drops and the odds of long wet spells go down. November is often much drier, with just a few short showers.
Rainfall Frequency and Duration
In early spring, rain happens more often and can last several hours, especially in September. You might see 7–9 rainy days that month, but showers are usually light to moderate rather than heavy downpours.
By October, rainy days drop to about 5–6 days, and the showers don’t last as long. November averages just 3–4 rainy days, and they’re often brief.
As spring moves along, you’ll spend less time worrying about rain. If you want drier weather for outdoor plans, late spring offers more reliable conditions.
Humidity and Dew Point Levels
Spring in Cape Town brings moderate humidity and comfortable dew point levels compared to the wetter winter months. You’ll notice some changes between early and late spring as temperatures go up and clouds thin out.
Typical Humidity Ranges
During spring, average relative humidity in Cape Town usually falls between 72% and 78%. That’s lower than the May peak, which can top 80%, but still higher than the drier summer months.
In September, humidity often sits near 77%, while by November, it drops toward 73%. The air still carries some moisture, but it rarely feels oppressive.
Mornings tend to feel more humid because cooler air holds moisture better. By afternoon, as temperatures rise, the relative humidity drops, so the air feels drier even if the actual water content is about the same.
For travelers, this balance of moderate humidity and mild temperatures makes spring especially pleasant for spending time outside.
Dew Point Fluctuations
The dew point in Cape Town during spring usually ranges from 11°C to 14°C (52°F to 57°F). This keeps things comfortable without a sticky or tropical feel.
In September, dew points stay closer to the low end. By November, as things warm up, dew points move up a bit too.
A dew point under 15°C is generally comfortable, so you’re unlikely to feel weighed down by moisture. Nights might feel a bit cooler and slightly damp, but daytime conditions stay balanced.
These steady dew point values, paired with moderate humidity, help explain why spring weather in Cape Town feels so fresh and good for outdoor activities.
Wind and Atmospheric Pressure
Spring in Cape Town brings some noticeable changes in wind and pressure. You’ll get breezy days that vary in strength, plus steady atmospheric pressure that helps shape the comfortable weather.
Spring Wind Speeds
During spring, winds in Cape Town average between 3 m/s and 5 m/s (about 11–18 km/h). These steady breezes often show up along the coast and in open spaces.
At this speed, small branches sway and flags flutter constantly. The wind feels stronger in exposed areas like Table Bay, while sheltered neighborhoods stay calmer.
The breeze usually comes from the southeast, thanks to the region’s coastal geography. This pattern is pretty common in spring and gets more consistent as summer nears.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, expect regular but manageable wind that adds a refreshing touch to the mild temperatures.
Windiest Month in Spring
November typically stands out as the windiest month. Average speeds climb closer to 5 m/s (around 18 km/h), which can make walking with an umbrella tricky and larger trees sway.
This uptick comes from the “Cape Doctor,” a strong southeasterly wind that gets more active late in spring. While it can feel forceful now and then, it also clears the air, leaving Cape Town with bright skies and great visibility.
If you visit in November, you should expect more persistent breezes. Outdoor dining, hiking, or beach trips might feel windier than earlier in the season, but most activities go on as usual.
Pressure Trends During Spring
Atmospheric pressure in Cape Town during spring usually sits between 1016 and 1020 hPa. These values stay pretty steady, with only small day-to-day changes.
This stable pressure supports the mild weather you notice in September, October, and November. Higher pressure days often bring clear skies and moderate breezes, while slight drops can bring short showers.
Pressure swings aren’t dramatic, so you can count on consistent and comfortable conditions throughout spring.
Visibility and Other Weather Factors
During spring in Cape Town, you’ll mostly see clear skies and enjoy longer daylight. Rainfall drops off as the season moves forward, and winds pick up a bit, shaping how you experience outdoor activities.
Average Visibility in Spring
Cape Town usually enjoys pretty good visibility during spring. Cloud cover starts off a bit stubborn, with overcast skies about 38% of the time at the beginning of the season. But by late November, that number drops to around 27%.
You’ll notice clearer skies, which means you get longer, uninterrupted views of the coastline and Table Mountain. It’s honestly a treat for anyone who likes a good view.
Rainfall takes a nosedive too, going from about 47 mm in early September to just 14 mm by late November. Since there are fewer wet days, haze and mist tend to back off, and you get sharper sightlines across the city and the landscapes around it.
Daylight hours stretch out by almost 3 hours over the season. That gives you more time to soak up the natural light and enjoy being outside. Sunrises come earlier, sunsets linger, and you don’t need to rely on artificial lighting as much when you’re out and about.
Honestly, these conditions make spring one of the better times for scenic drives, hiking, or snapping some photos. You’re not as likely to run into lousy visibility from heavy rain or thick clouds, so why not take advantage?
Other Notable Weather Features
Spring brings a steady rise in temperatures. Daytime highs climb from 18°C (64°F) in early September to around 23°C (73°F) by late November.
Nights stay cool at first, then turn milder as the season goes on. You’ll usually see nighttime temps between 10°C and 15°C.
Humidity stays low, so muggy days hardly ever happen. The air feels crisp and comfortable, even when it warms up in the afternoon.
Winds pick up a bit, averaging 19–22 km/h, and they tend to blow in from the south. This breeze keeps the air clear, though it might feel brisk if you’re near the coast.
Water temperatures creep up from 15°C to 17°C. That’s still a bit chilly for swimming, but it adds to the fresh coastal vibe.
With longer daylight hours, these changes make outdoor plans pretty easy.