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Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal?
Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal gets 576 mm of precipitation a year over about 98 rainy days. January is the warmest month (average high 26°C) and July the coldest (average low 1°C).
Semi-arid climate
Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal has warm summers and mild winters. Daytime highs range from about 18°C in July to 26°C in December. February is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically January and March to December, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 2° | 19° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 9° | 25° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 13° | 26° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 8° | 23° |
How much rain does Ladysmith get?
Ladysmith gets 576 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 98 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 85% of South Africa.
February is the wettest month, with 107 mm. June is the driest, with 4 mm. January has the most rainy days, about 14.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Ladysmith got 458 mm of rain, against a normal of 576 mm for those months. September 2026 had the most, with 386 mm.
Ladysmith weather by month
Ladysmith weather in January
In January, Ladysmith averages a high of 26°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 98 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 42% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 37°C (2016) and the record low is 6°C (2001). January is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in February
In February, Ladysmith averages a high of 26°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 107 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 34°C (1999) and the record low is 7°C (2002).
Ladysmith weather in March
In March, Ladysmith averages a high of 25°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 66 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 32°C (2024) and the record low is -1°C (2007). March is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in April
In April, Ladysmith averages a high of 22°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 32 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 58% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 34°C (2023) and the record low is -2°C (2014). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in May
In May, Ladysmith averages a high of 21°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 7 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 74% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 34°C (2023) and the record low is -8°C (2007). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in June
In June, Ladysmith averages a high of 18°C and a low of 2°C. It gets 4 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 85% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 27°C (2010) and the record low is -8°C (1998). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in July
In July, Ladysmith averages a high of 18°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 7 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 87% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 29°C (2006) and the record low is -9°C (2014). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in August
In August, Ladysmith averages a high of 21°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 11 mm of precipitation over about 4 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 77% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 31°C (2021) and the record low is -9°C (2003). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in September
In September, Ladysmith averages a high of 24°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 27 mm of precipitation over about 6 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 64% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 35°C (2007) and the record low is -6°C (2013). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in October
In October, Ladysmith averages a high of 25°C and a low of 9°C. It gets 50 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 34°C (1998) and the record low is -1°C (2024). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in November
In November, Ladysmith averages a high of 26°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 38°C (2004) and the record low is 1°C (2017). November is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Ladysmith weather in December
In December, Ladysmith averages a high of 26°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 92 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 33% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 36°C (2015) and the record low is 5°C (1998). December is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Ladysmith
July is the sunniest month in Ladysmith, with estimated sunshine of 87% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 33%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 58% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Ladysmith is cloudier than 69% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in February at 70% and is lowest in August at 39%.
Ladysmith has about 8 days a year above 32°C. Ladysmith is cooler than 82% of South Africa.
First and last freeze in Ladysmith
The first fall freeze in Ladysmith typically comes around May 18, and the last spring freeze around August 29. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 262 days.
Ladysmith weather records
These records cover VAN REENEN during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Ladysmith station is 38°C, on November 19, 2004. The coldest is -9°C, on August 21, 2003.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 168 mm of precipitation, on September 17, 2026.
30 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The best time to visit Ladysmith
The most comfortable time to visit is typically January and March to December, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
Winter (June–August) is mild, with average highs around 19°C and lows near 2°C.
Spring (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 25°C and lows near 9°C.
Summer (December–February) is warm, with average highs around 26°C and lows near 13°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 23°C and lows near 8°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13° | 26° | 98 mm | 14 | 68% | 42% | 37° | 6° |
| February | 13° | 26° | 107 mm | 12 | 70% | 41% | 34° | 7° |
| March | 12° | 25° | 66 mm | 11 | 66% | 55% | 32° | -1° |
| April | 8° | 22° | 32 mm | 7 | 65% | 58% | 34° | -2° |
| May | 4° | 21° | 6.9 mm | 3 | 59% | 74% | 34° | -8° |
| June | 2° | 18° | 4.3 mm | 2 | 50% | 85% | 27° | -8° |
| July | 1° | 18° | 6.9 mm | 3 | 40% | 87% | 29° | -9° |
| August | 4° | 21° | 11 mm | 4 | 39% | 77% | 31° | -9° |
| September | 7° | 24° | 27 mm | 6 | 47% | 64% | 35° | -6° |
| October | 9° | 25° | 50 mm | 10 | 56% | 46% | 34° | -1° |
| November | 11° | 26° | 74 mm | 13 | 63% | 38% | 38° | 1° |
| December | 13° | 26° | 92 mm | 13 | 68% | 33% | 36° | 5° |
Station: VAN REENEN, 44 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Ladysmith climate questions
How much rain does Ladysmith get?
Ladysmith gets 576 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 98 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Ladysmith?
February is the wettest month in Ladysmith, with 107 mm. June is the driest, with 4 mm.
How many rainy days does Ladysmith have a year?
Ladysmith has about 98 days with measurable rain in an average year. January has the most, about 14.
What is the hottest month in Ladysmith?
January is the warmest month in Ladysmith, with an average high of 26°C.
What is the coldest month in Ladysmith?
July is the coldest month in Ladysmith, with an average low of 1°C.
What is the record high temperature in Ladysmith?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Ladysmith station is 38°C, set on November 19, 2004. The record low is -9°C, on August 21, 2003.
What is the sunniest month in Ladysmith?
July is the sunniest month in Ladysmith, with estimated sunshine of 87% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Ladysmith?
The first fall freeze in Ladysmith typically comes around May 18. The last spring freeze is around August 29.
What is the best time to visit Ladysmith?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically January and March to December, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.