Stellenbosch

Cape Winelands Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Cape Winelands, South Africa in December.

Thinking about venturing to the Cape Winelands, South Africa this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in the Cape Winelands in December

The Cape Winelands, South Africa is a region in South Africa. December in the Cape Winelands generally has warm temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are warm and range from 26°C (79°F) in Stellenbosch to 29°C (84°F) in Tulbagh. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 15°C (59°F) in Tulbagh and 15°C (59°F) in Stellenbosch.

For a closer look at conditions across the Cape Winelands, South Africa, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Tulbagh with an average of 21 mm (0.8 in) to moderate rainfall in Franschhoek with 31 mm (1.2 in).

Average sunshine

Plenty of sunshine can be expected in numerous places in December. Stellenbosch typically receives 334 hours of sunlight, making it ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore the Cape Winelands by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Cape Winelands — and find the best time to visit. (based on Stellenbosch)

Best Places to Visit in the Cape Winelands in December

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

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in the Cape Winelands

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in the Cape Winelands, South Africa?

Temperature range in the Cape Winelands (December)

Precipitation variation in the Cape Winelands (December)

Stellenbosch

In December Stellenbosch generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 26°C (79°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
24°C (75°F)
26°C (79°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly sun hours
310 hours
334 hours
338 hours
Monthly rainfall
46 mm (1.8 in)
28 mm (1.1 in)
25 mm (1 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
6 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Franschhoek

In December Franschhoek generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 27°C (81°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
24°C (75°F)
27°C (81°F)
29°C (84°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
14°C (57°F)
15°C (59°F)
Monthly rainfall
49 mm (1.9 in)
31 mm (1.2 in)
27 mm (1.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
6 days
6 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Paarl

In December Paarl generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 28°C (82°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
25°C (77°F)
28°C (82°F)
30°C (86°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly sun hours
310 hours
334 hours
338 hours
Monthly rainfall
45 mm (1.8 in)
27 mm (1.1 in)
22 mm (0.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
5 days
6 days
4 days
Weather conditions

Tulbagh

In December Tulbagh generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
26°C (79°F)
29°C (84°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly rainfall
36 mm (1.4 in)
21 mm (0.8 in)
16 mm (0.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
4 days
4 days
3 days
Weather conditions

Wellington

In December Wellington generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 29°C (84°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
26°C (79°F)
29°C (84°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
Monthly rainfall
43 mm (1.7 in)
25 mm (1 in)
20 mm (0.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
4 days
5 days
4 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Cape Winelands, in South Africa.

In our records: South Africa December extremes

Notable December records observed across cities in South Africa in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the warmest December day in South Africa reached 44°C (111°F) in Kruger National Park on December 13, 2024.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Cape Winelands in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Stellenbosch 26°C (79°F) 15°C (59°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Franschhoek 27°C (81°F) 14°C (57°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Paarl 28°C (82°F) 15°C (59°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Tulbagh 29°C (84°F) 15°C (59°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Wellington 29°C (84°F) 15°C (59°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Ceres 28°C (82°F) 14°C (57°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)

The Cape Winelands weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Cape Winelands, South Africa in December?

December in the Cape Winelands, South Africa brings perfect weather. In Stellenbosch, daytime temperatures are typically around 26°C (79°F) and nighttime lows hover near 15°C (59°F).

What is the average temperature in the Cape Winelands, South Africa in December?

In Stellenbosch, the average daytime high in December is 26°C (79°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 15°C (59°F).

Does the Cape Winelands, South Africa get a lot of rain in December?

Rain is generally moderate to light in the Cape Winelands, South Africa during December, with Stellenbosch averaging close to 28 mm (1.1 in).

Is December a Good Time to Visit the Cape Winelands, South Africa?

We consider December to be one of the best times to travel to the Cape Winelands, South Africa. Typically, the climate in Stellenbosch is perfect.

On average, the best time to visit the Cape Winelands, South Africa is in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December with generally perfect weather in Stellenbosch. On the other hand, the weather in July tends to be unpleasant.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Cape Winelands.

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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