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Newcastle, 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 Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal?
Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal gets 348 mm of precipitation a year over about 71 rainy days. February is the warmest month (average high 29°C) and July the coldest (average low 5°C).
Semi-arid climate
Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal has hot summers and warm winters. Daytime highs range from about 22°C in July to 29°C in February. December is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically April to August, when daytime highs sit near 24°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 6° | 23° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 12° | 27° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 16° | 29° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 12° | 26° |
How much rain does Newcastle get?
Newcastle gets 348 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 71 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 53% of South Africa.
December is the wettest month, with 76 mm. July is the driest, with 3 mm. December has the most rainy days, about 12.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 16 days, to July 16, 2026.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Newcastle got 118 mm of rain, against a normal of 348 mm for those months. September 2026 had the most, with 103 mm.
Newcastle weather by month
Newcastle weather in January
In January, Newcastle averages a high of 28°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 48 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 39°C (2016) and the record low is 2°C (2011).
Newcastle weather in February
In February, Newcastle averages a high of 29°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 43 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 38°C (2013) and the record low is 8°C (2002).
Newcastle weather in March
In March, Newcastle averages a high of 28°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 43 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 40°C (1998) and the record low is 7°C (2008).
Newcastle weather in April
In April, Newcastle averages a high of 26°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 23 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 61% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 36°C (2018) and the record low is 0°C (1998). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Newcastle weather in May
In May, Newcastle averages a high of 24°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 11 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 77% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 33°C (2012) and the record low is -4°C (2007). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Newcastle weather in June
In June, Newcastle averages a high of 22°C and a low of 6°C. It gets 6 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 86% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 36°C (2003) and the record low is -6°C (2002). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Newcastle weather in July
In July, Newcastle averages a high of 22°C and a low of 5°C. It gets 3 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 88% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 31°C (2019) and the record low is -4°C (2023). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Newcastle weather in August
In August, Newcastle averages a high of 24°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 7 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 78% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 34°C (2012) and the record low is -2°C (2003). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Newcastle weather in September
In September, Newcastle averages a high of 27°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 14 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 68% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 37°C (2018) and the record low is -4°C (2002).
Newcastle weather in October
In October, Newcastle averages a high of 27°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 27 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 49% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 38°C (2010) and the record low is 2°C (2016).
Newcastle weather in November
In November, Newcastle averages a high of 28°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 45 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 38°C (2020) and the record low is -2°C (2015).
Newcastle weather in December
In December, Newcastle averages a high of 28°C and a low of 15°C. It gets 76 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 36% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 39°C (2015) and the record low is 6°C (2007).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Newcastle
July is the sunniest month in Newcastle, with estimated sunshine of 88% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 36%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 60% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Newcastle is cloudier than 65% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in February at 70% and is lowest in July at 38%.
Newcastle has about 24 days a year above 32°C. Newcastle is cooler than 55% of South Africa.
First and last freeze in Newcastle
The first fall freeze in Newcastle typically comes around June 15, and the last spring freeze around July 15. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 335 days.
Newcastle weather records
These records cover VRYHEID during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Newcastle station is 40°C, on March 5, 1998. The coldest is -6°C, on June 3, 2002.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 162 mm of precipitation, on January 31, 1984.
17 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The best time to visit Newcastle
The most comfortable time to visit is typically April to August, when daytime highs sit near 24°C.
Winter (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 23°C and lows near 6°C.
Spring (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 27°C and lows near 12°C.
Summer (December–February) is hot, with average highs around 29°C and lows near 16°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 26°C and lows near 11°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | 28° | 48 mm | 8 | 68% | 41% | 39° | 2° |
| February | 16° | 29° | 43 mm | 8 | 70% | 41% | 38° | 8° |
| March | 14° | 28° | 43 mm | 8 | 66% | 55% | 40° | 7° |
| April | 12° | 26° | 23 mm | 5 | 64% | 61% | 36° | 0° |
| May | 8° | 24° | 11 mm | 3 | 57% | 77% | 33° | -4° |
| June | 6° | 22° | 6.1 mm | 2 | 48% | 86% | 36° | -6° |
| July | 5° | 22° | 3.0 mm | 2 | 38% | 88% | 31° | -4° |
| August | 8° | 24° | 7.4 mm | 3 | 38% | 78% | 34° | -2° |
| September | 11° | 27° | 14 mm | 5 | 43% | 68% | 37° | -4° |
| October | 12° | 27° | 27 mm | 8 | 54% | 49% | 38° | 2° |
| November | 14° | 28° | 45 mm | 9 | 62% | 41% | 38° | -2° |
| December | 15° | 28° | 76 mm | 12 | 67% | 36% | 39° | 6° |
Station: VRYHEID, 86 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.
Newcastle climate questions
How much rain does Newcastle get?
Newcastle gets 348 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 71 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Newcastle?
December is the wettest month in Newcastle, with 76 mm. July is the driest, with 3 mm.
How many rainy days does Newcastle have a year?
Newcastle has about 71 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 12.
What is the hottest month in Newcastle?
February is the warmest month in Newcastle, with an average high of 29°C.
What is the coldest month in Newcastle?
July is the coldest month in Newcastle, with an average low of 5°C.
What is the record high temperature in Newcastle?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Newcastle station is 40°C, set on March 5, 1998. The record low is -6°C, on June 3, 2002.
What is the sunniest month in Newcastle?
July is the sunniest month in Newcastle, with estimated sunshine of 88% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Newcastle?
The first fall freeze in Newcastle typically comes around June 15. The last spring freeze is around July 15.
What is the best time to visit Newcastle?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically April to August, when daytime highs sit near 24°C.