Winter in Johannesburg feels totally different from the city’s warm, rainy summers. The air gets crisp, skies usually stay clear, and rain is almost a non-issue. Expect cool mornings around 4°C (39°F) and mild afternoons that reach 16–19°C (60–66°F). Winter ends up being one of the driest and sunniest stretches in the city.
You’ll notice the biggest change in the mornings and evenings, when temperatures dip fast thanks to Johannesburg’s high altitude. Even with the chill, the city enjoys about nine hours of sunshine a day, which really helps the days feel bright and comfortable.
Heavy clouds rarely appear, so you often get wide, clear skies over the city.
These steady conditions affect how you’ll pack and plan your trip. If you’re curious about what to expect—temperature swings, rainfall, or daylight—this breakdown of Johannesburg’s winter climate covers the practical stuff you’ll want to know.
Overview of Winter in Johannesburg
Winter in Johannesburg brings mild days, cool nights, and barely any rain. You get clear skies, steady sun, and dry air, which makes it probably the most predictable season here.
Typical Winter Climate Conditions
During winter, daily highs usually land between 61°F and 70°F (16°C to 21°C). Nights are much chillier, dropping to 36°F to 44°F (2°C to 7°C). Frost can show up on the coldest mornings, but it’s rare.
Rain barely happens, with only about a 3% chance of a wet day. Monthly rainfall usually stays near 0.1 to 0.2 inches, which is nothing compared to summer.
Clouds don’t hang around much. Most days, skies are clear or mostly clear about 90% of the time. Winter really is one of the sunniest times of year here.
Humidity drops, so the air feels crisp and dry. You won’t run into the muggy stuff that’s typical in summer.
Winter Season Duration
Winter in Johannesburg runs from June through August. The shortest day hits in late June, with about 10.5 hours of daylight. By late August, days stretch past 11.5 hours.
Temperatures rise slowly as winter moves along. Early June feels cooler, but late August brings noticeably warmer days.
Sunrise is around 6:50 AM in early July and shifts earlier to about 6:20 AM by late August. Sunset moves later, from roughly 5:25 PM in June to nearly 5:55 PM in August.
Winds average 7–9 mph, and they shift from the south in June to the north by late August.
Comparison With Other Seasons
Compared to summer, winter is way drier. In December, rain chances can hit 50%, but in July, they drop to almost 1%. That’s a huge difference and really shapes Johannesburg’s weather cycle.
Winter days are cooler but still mild compared to other cities at this altitude. Summer highs often reach 78°F (25°C), while winter highs hover closer to 64°F (18°C).
Unlike spring or autumn, winter delivers the most consistent weather. You won’t run into sudden storms or big temperature swings. Instead, you get steady sun, cool mornings, and comfortable afternoons.
If you’re into dry air and clear skies, winter is pretty hard to beat in terms of predictability.
Average Winter Temperatures
Winter in Johannesburg brings mild days and cool nights. Temperatures rarely go to extremes. The city’s elevation and dry climate keep things steady and comfortable for most activities.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During winter, daytime highs usually sit between 64°F (18°C) and 70°F (21°C). Under clear skies and strong sun, these afternoons often feel warmer than the thermometer suggests.
At night, lows drop to around 36°F (2°C) to 44°F (7°C). Frost can happen, but it doesn’t show up often. The dry air makes the cold feel crisp rather than damp.
Johannesburg’s elevation—about 5,700 feet (1,753 m) above sea level—lets heat escape fast after sunset. That’s why nights cool off so much, even after sunny afternoons.
Coldest Months and Extremes
The coldest stretch is late June through early July. Historical data shows average highs near 61°F (16°C) and lows around 36°F (2°C). That’s about as cold as it gets here.
Sometimes, early mornings can dip below 30°F (-1°C), but daytime temps almost never stay below 55°F (13°C). Snow is almost unheard of, and when it does happen, it’s light and melts fast.
By August, things warm up again. Highs climb toward the upper 60s, and nights get less cold. The warming is steady and signals spring is on the way.
Temperature Variations Across the City
Johannesburg’s layout and hills create small but noticeable differences in winter temps. Downtown areas with lots of buildings hold onto heat, so they’re slightly warmer at night. Open suburbs and valleys cool off more quickly.
Lower neighborhoods may see less frost, while higher ridges get colder mornings. Within 10 miles, elevation can change by over 1,000 feet (300 m), which affects local temps.
Still, the overall climate stays pretty consistent across the city. Expect mild afternoons everywhere, with cooler nights in less developed or higher-up parts of Johannesburg.
Precipitation Patterns in Winter
Johannesburg’s winter months bring almost no rain or other precipitation. Things stay mostly dry, with clear skies and low humidity shaping the season.
Rainfall Amounts and Frequency
Rainfall during winter is almost nonexistent. Data shows June, July, and August often get less than 10 mm of rain each month. July is the driest, sometimes seeing only 3–4 mm of rain, usually in a single, brief shower.
You can expect long stretches without any measurable rain. On average, there’s one rainy day or fewer per month in midwinter. Compare that to over a dozen rainy days in December.
Dry weather lowers humidity, so the air feels crisp and cool. This makes outdoor plans easy, but it also means water conservation matters even more.
Snowfall Occurrence and Rarity
Snow in Johannesburg? It’s extremely rare. The city sits at about 1,755 meters (5,758 feet) above sea level, so winter nights get cold, but not cold enough for snow most years.
Records show only a few snow events in living memory. Even then, snow is light, patchy, and melts quickly. Locals remember these as curiosities, not normal weather.
So, don’t expect snow during your winter trip. If there’s any precipitation, it’ll be a brief, light rain—snow just isn’t something you need to plan for.
Humidity and Air Quality During Winter
Johannesburg’s winter brings lower humidity than summer, which means clearer skies and drier air. These conditions affect how comfortable you feel outside and can even impact your breathing.
Average Humidity Levels
In winter, Johannesburg’s humidity drops to its lowest points of the year. Relative humidity often ranges between 46% and 55%, with August being driest at about 46%.
That’s a big change from summer, when humidity can top 65–70%. The drier air during winter makes nights feel cooler, even when daytime highs hit 18–20°C (64–68°F).
Less moisture in the air means you see fewer cloudy days. On average, winter skies are clear or mostly clear about 90% of the time. That boosts sunshine hours. Outdoor activities feel great, though you might notice dry skin or chapped lips if you’re outside for long stretches.
Impact on Comfort and Health
The dry winter air changes how you feel day to day. With less humidity, sweat evaporates faster, so your body cools off efficiently. But that can also mean dry nasal passages, itchy eyes, or a scratchy throat.
If you have asthma or allergies, winter might bring more symptoms. Dry air lets dust hang around, and pollen doesn’t get washed away by rain.
You can help by running a humidifier indoors, drinking lots of water, and using moisturizer. Air quality is usually good in winter, thanks to clear skies and less pollution, but dust and the occasional whiff of smoke from fires can cause short-term irritation for some folks.
Sunshine and Wind in the Winter Months
Winter in Johannesburg means clear skies, steady sunshine, and mild but noticeable winds. These conditions make it comfortable for sightseeing, walking, or just hanging out outside.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Winter runs from June to August. You’ll get about 8 to 9 hours of sunshine per day, even though the days are shorter than in summer. The sun rises later and sets earlier, but skies are mostly clear because it hardly ever rains.
This makes winter days feel brighter than the temperature might suggest. Even if morning lows are near 4°C (39°F), the strong high-altitude sun warms things up quickly. By midday, it often feels mild and pleasant if you’re in the sun.
Johannesburg sits at about 1,753 meters above sea level, so the UV index stays moderate, usually around 5 to 6. It’s lower than in summer, but you should still use sun protection if you’re outside for a while. Sunglasses and a bit of sunscreen go a long way.
Typical Wind Speeds and Directions
Winds in Johannesburg during winter are usually light to moderate, averaging 10–15 km/h (6–9 mph). Some days bring stronger gusts, but calm mornings are pretty common too.
Winds mostly come from the north and northeast, bringing dry air that keeps skies clear. Sometimes, southwesterly winds show up and bring cooler air, which makes evenings feel chillier.
Wind doesn’t usually mess with daily plans, but you’ll notice a chill if you’re outdoors in the shade or open areas. Wearing layers helps you stay comfortable, especially since wind plus early morning cold can feel sharper than you’d expect.
Historical Winter Weather Trends
Johannesburg’s winters have stayed mostly dry and mild over the years. Records do show rare cold snaps and some gradual shifts in seasonal patterns. Historical weather data highlights both odd events and long-term changes that shape how you’ll experience the city’s winter climate today.
Notable Weather Events
Snowfall in Johannesburg barely ever happens, but hey, it does show up in the records. Usually, the city might see actual snow just once every five to ten years. When flakes do fall, they don’t stick around for long. The city sits high up, and daytime temperatures tend to melt everything pretty fast.
Back in June 1981, Johannesburg saw one of its wildest snow days. Some neighborhoods got several inches, which is almost unheard of here. More recently, 2007 and 2012 brought some light snow, but honestly, those flurries disappeared almost as soon as they arrived.
Cold mornings are way more common than snow. If you look at the weather data, winter lows sometimes get close to freezing. Every so often, the temperature slips just below 30°F, or -1°C. In July, you’ll often spot frost on the grass and rooftops, especially in the southern suburbs or out in the open areas.
Some winters come with strong winds, too. Late-season cold fronts have pushed gusts over 30 mph, and that wind can make the air feel even colder. Johannesburg’s winter usually feels pretty steady, but every now and then, the weather likes to keep everyone guessing.
Long-Term Climate Changes
Over the decades, Johannesburg’s winter climate has warmed up bit by bit. Historical averages actually show winter high temperatures climbing several degrees since the mid-20th century.
These days, you’ll notice more mild afternoons than you would have in the past, back when highs in the low 60s °F felt more routine.
Rainfall patterns tell a different story. Winter remains Johannesburg’s driest season, but long-term data points to even less rain in recent years.
In July, the average 31-day rainfall barely gets above 0.2 inches, so those long dry spells show up more often.
Sunshine hours stay high, and daylight slowly stretches out as winter ends. Warmer temperatures and that extra daylight have added a few days to the growing season compared to older records.
Humidity doesn’t really budge much, with winter air staying reliably dry.
Wind speeds, though, have crept up a little, averaging close to 9 mph late in the season. That small increase might make the cool mornings and evenings feel a bit different, even as overall temperatures keep rising.