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Mthatha, Eastern Cape Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Mthatha, Eastern Cape?
Mthatha, Eastern Cape gets 818 mm of precipitation a year over about 87 rainy days. January is the warmest month (average high 28°C) and July the coldest (average low 12°C).
Mthatha climate at a glance
How much rain does Mthatha get?
Mthatha gets 818 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 87 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 72% of South Africa.
December is the wettest month, with 106 mm. August is the driest, with 28 mm. October has the most rainy days, about 11.
Mthatha weather by month
Mthatha weather in January
In January, Mthatha averages a high of 28°C and a low of 19°C. It gets 72 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 30% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 37°C (2020) and the record low is 4°C (2018).
Mthatha weather in February
In February, Mthatha averages a high of 28°C and a low of 19°C. It gets 83 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 30% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 36°C (2020) and the record low is 12°C (2017).
Mthatha weather in April
In April, Mthatha averages a high of 26°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 83 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 41°C (2020) and the record low is 7°C (2015).
Mthatha weather in May
In May, Mthatha averages a high of 26°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 43 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 67% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 42°C (2023) and the record low is 2°C (2017).
Mthatha weather in June
In June, Mthatha averages a high of 24°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 33 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 71% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 38°C (2020) and the record low is -1°C (2018).
Mthatha weather in July
In July, Mthatha averages a high of 24°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 32 mm of precipitation over about 4 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 80% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 36°C (2019) and the record low is -3°C (2018).
Mthatha weather in August
In August, Mthatha averages a high of 23°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 28 mm of precipitation over about 4 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 68% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 36°C (2022) and the record low is 1°C (2018).
Mthatha weather in September
In September, Mthatha averages a high of 24°C and a low of 15°C. It gets 62 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 47% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 35°C (2023) and the record low is 2°C (1984).
Mthatha weather in October
In October, Mthatha averages a high of 25°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 86 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 39°C (2018) and the record low is 7°C (2017).
Mthatha weather in November
In November, Mthatha averages a high of 26°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 103 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 39°C (2020) and the record low is 6°C (2015).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Mthatha
July is the sunniest month in Mthatha, with estimated sunshine of 80% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 19%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 47% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Mthatha is cloudier than 99% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in December at 82% and is lowest in July at 50%.
Mthatha has about 9 days a year above 32°C. Mthatha is cooler than 80% of South Africa.
Mthatha weather records
These records cover CAPE HERMES during 1970–2025. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Mthatha station is 42°C, on May 11, 2023. The coldest is -3°C, on July 16, 2018.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 330 mm of precipitation, on February 19, 1984.
27 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19° | 28° | 72 mm | 9 | 81% | 30% | 37° | 4° |
| February | 19° | 28° | 83 mm | 8 | 81% | 30% | 36° | 12° |
| March | — | 27° | 85 mm | 8 | 79% | 40% | 40° | 11° |
| April | 17° | 26° | 83 mm | 7 | 77% | 40% | 41° | 7° |
| May | 16° | 26° | 43 mm | 5 | 67% | 67% | 42° | 2° |
| June | 13° | 24° | 33 mm | 3 | 61% | 71% | 38° | -1° |
| July | 12° | 24° | 32 mm | 4 | 50% | 80% | 36° | -3° |
| August | 13° | 23° | 28 mm | 4 | 52% | 68% | 36° | 1° |
| September | 15° | 24° | 62 mm | 8 | 65% | 47% | 35° | 2° |
| October | 16° | 25° | 86 mm | 11 | 72% | 38% | 39° | 7° |
| November | 17° | 26° | 103 mm | 11 | 79% | 28% | 39° | 6° |
| December | — | — | 106 mm | 10 | 82% | 19% | 38° | 9° |
Station: CAPE HERMES, 73 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2025; 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.
Mthatha climate questions
How much rain does Mthatha get?
Mthatha gets 818 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 87 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Mthatha?
December is the wettest month in Mthatha, with 106 mm. August is the driest, with 28 mm.
How many rainy days does Mthatha have a year?
Mthatha has about 87 days with measurable rain in an average year. October has the most, about 11.
What is the hottest month in Mthatha?
January is the warmest month in Mthatha, with an average high of 28°C.
What is the coldest month in Mthatha?
July is the coldest month in Mthatha, with an average low of 12°C.
What is the record high temperature in Mthatha?
Within the available 1970–2025 station history, the record high at the Mthatha station is 42°C, set on May 11, 2023. The record low is -3°C, on July 16, 2018.
What is the sunniest month in Mthatha?
July is the sunniest month in Mthatha, with estimated sunshine of 80% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.