St James
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St James Weather in May

May in St James brings pleasant temperatures, with daytime highs of 19°C (66°F) and nights around 14°C (57°F). Quite a bit of rainfall is expected, around 72 mm (2.8 in), so pack an umbrella.

Rainfall in St James in May

Historically, the month has about 12 days of rain, averaging 72 mm (2.8 in) in total. Rain this month is fairly typical, a standard mix of wet and dry days with no particularly heavy or persistent showers.

Temperature in St James in May

In May, expect pleasant temperatures in St James, with highs of 19°C (66°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F) at night. Even when the weather is stable, mornings and evenings can still feel distinctly cool. At 14°C (57°F) overnight, it can feel quite a bit cooler after dark. Worth packing something warmer for evenings, but the cooler temperatures are ideal for sleeping.

Sunshine in St James in May

There are approximately 205 hours of sunshine this month, resulting in mostly clear days.

Wind Speed in St James in May

Wind speeds average 3 m/s (6 knots) during May. At this speed, light breezes keep leaves and small twigs in gentle motion while the wind also provides natural cooling. Since this is an average, some days are more tranquil while others have more persistent light winds that are more noticeable.

Average water temperature in May

The water temperature is 16°C (61°F), chilly, but perfectly fine for a swim if you're not too sensitive to cold water. A short wetsuit can make longer sessions more comfortable.

Our weather planner can help you find worldwide destinations with pleasant weather during this period. January, February, March, April, November and December typically offer the best weather for St James.

St James Temperature in May

Min Temperature
14°C (57°F)
Max Temperature
19°C (66°F)
Water Temperature
16°C (61°F) *
Chance of Rain
40%
Precipitation
72 mm (2.8 in)
Rainy days
12 days
Humidity
81% *
Windspeed
3 m/s (6 knots) *
Sunshine
205 hours *
Percentage Sunshine
*
* Data from: Cape Town, South Africa (21 KM, 13 Miles).

St James Weather by Month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in St James - and find the best time to visit.

Best Places in South Africa in May

Find out more about the weather in South Africa and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of South Africa in May →

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).

What to Wear in St James in May

Pleasant temperatures in May mean you can pack light but flexibel pieces. Think cotton t-shirts, comfortable walking shorts, and one warmer layer for evenings. A light sweater or denim jacket works well. Rain gear is recommended, you can expect wet weather on multiple days. With water temperatures around 16°C (61°F), the water is quite cold for swimming. You can skip the swimwear unless you're particularly tough. Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. These are all good ideas with this much sunshine.

What To Do in St James in May

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

  • Cycling
    9/10
  • Walking
    9/10
  • Camping
    8/10
  • Outdoor sports
    9/10

St James 3-Day Forecast

Popular in May

Where to go in May - average daytime high across popular destinations.

Bucket list

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