Temperature in South Africa in December

Daytime highs, nighttime lows and the warmest cities across South Africa this December.

South Africa, experiences maximum daytime temperatures in December ranging from 20°C (68°F) in Paternoster to 36°C (97°F) in Askham. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 21°C (70°F) in Askham and 17°C (63°F) in Paternoster.

What is the temperature of the different cities in South Africa in December?

Discover the typical December temperatures for the most popular locations of South Africa on the map below. Detailed insights are just a click away.

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Check the conditions for any month of the year.

For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit South Africa, check out our South Africa's climate page.

See also: the South Africa weather by month.

Best Places to Visit in South Africa in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across South Africa.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
Avg daytime high -5°C (23°F) cold → 32°C (90°F) hot

Marker color shows the average daytime high temperature in December: blue is cold, red is hot.

South Africa temperatures in December: frequently asked questions

How hot does it get in South Africa in December?

Daytime temperatures in Cape Town typically peak at 24°C (75°F) in December, putting it in the high range.

How cold does it get at night in South Africa in December?

After dark, Cape Town cools to about 16°C (61°F) on an average December night.

What is the warmest city in December in South Africa?

From a thorough analysis of our records, Askham clearly dominates in terms of high temperatures. The city witnesses daytime temperatures hovering around 36°C (97°F), and evenings that remain near 21°C (70°F).

What is the coldest city in December in South Africa?

For the month of December, Paternoster is the most temperate city in South Africa based on our records. Highs average 20°C (68°F) and nighttime temperatures dip to around 17°C (63°F).

How much sun does South Africa get in December?

Cape Town usually sees around 334 hours of sunlight, indicating many sunny days.

What is the water temperature in December?

The water temperature averages approximately 22°C (72°F) in East London this month, a refreshing temperature for swimming and cooling off.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in South Africa.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to South Africa? Get detailed 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 travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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