Cape Town weather in May (Western Cape, South Africa)
How is the weather in Cape Town in May? Here's what the weather might have in store during this month.
In Cape Town the weather in May is generally perfect, with pleasant temperatures and moderate rainfall. Throughout the day, temperatures typically settle at around 20°C. But by evening, they drop to around 12°C.
Cape Town in May usually receives moderate rainfall, averaging around 80 mm for the month. Delving into the climate records from the past 30 years, one can predict that nearly 11 days of the month will see rainfall.
With around 205 hours of sunshine, the days are mostly sunny. It gives a pleasant and vibrant feel to the area.
If you're inclined towards comfortable temperatures and drier conditions, May is a prime time to visit Cape Town. January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December typically offer the best circumstances. While July tends to showcase less optimal conditions.
For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Cape Town climate page with graphs.
Cape Town, monthly averages in May
Min Temperature
12°C
Max Temperature
20°C
Water Temperature
16°C
Chance of Rain
37%
Precipitation
80 mm
Rainy days
11 days
Humidity
81%
Windspeed
11 km/h
Sunshine
205 hours
Percentage Sunshine
Where to go in South Africa in May
Find out more about the weather in South Africa in May and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
So, what should you wear in Cape Town in May?
For visitors traveling to Cape Town, we recommend wearing layers. So maybe a skirt, t-shirt, shorts for during the day and jeans and a warm jacket for some days and evenings. Bring a rain jacket in case it rains during your stay. Plan on layering your clothes. With a water temperature of around 16°C there is no need to bring your swimwear.What To Do
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do in May.
Interested in more climate information?
Weather and Climate provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Cape Town.
Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to South Africa? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in South Africa. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
