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Pietermaritzburg, 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 Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal?
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal gets 578 mm of precipitation a year over about 113 rainy days. February is the warmest month (average high 27°C) and June the coldest (average low 3°C).
Semi-arid climate
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal has warm summers and warm winters. Daytime highs range from about 21°C in July to 27°C in February. December is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to November, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 4° | 21° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 11° | 24° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 15° | 27° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 11° | 24° |
How much rain does Pietermaritzburg get?
Pietermaritzburg gets 578 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 113 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 93% of South Africa.
December is the wettest month, with 90 mm. June is the driest, with 8 mm. December has the most rainy days, about 15.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Pietermaritzburg got 243 mm of rain, against a normal of 578 mm for those months. September 2026 had the most, with 163 mm.
Pietermaritzburg weather by month
Pietermaritzburg weather in January
In January, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 27°C and a low of 15°C. It gets 87 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 33% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 38°C (2016) and the record low is 6°C (1979).
Pietermaritzburg weather in February
In February, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 27°C and a low of 15°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 31% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 37°C (2008) and the record low is 8°C (2007).
Pietermaritzburg weather in March
In March, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 26°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 77 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 36°C (2016) and the record low is 4°C (1970). March is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in April
In April, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 24°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 38 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 35°C (2017) and the record low is 0°C (1982). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in May
In May, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 23°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 18 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 68% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 32°C (2024) and the record low is -4°C (2007). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in June
In June, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 21°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 8 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 77% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 29°C (2021) and the record low is -4°C (1992). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in July
In July, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 21°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 12 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 78% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 30°C (2019) and the record low is -5°C (2014). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in August
In August, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 22°C and a low of 6°C. It gets 11 mm of precipitation over about 4 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 67% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 34°C (2024) and the record low is -4°C (2012). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in September
In September, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 24°C and a low of 9°C. It gets 27 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 50% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 37°C (2019) and the record low is -3°C (2013). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in October
In October, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 24°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 62 mm of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 38°C (2015) and the record low is 2°C (1971). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in November
In November, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 25°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 28% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 38°C (2024) and the record low is 3°C (2017). November is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Pietermaritzburg weather in December
In December, Pietermaritzburg averages a high of 26°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 90 mm of precipitation over about 15 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 24% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 41°C (2015) and the record low is 4°C (1984).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Pietermaritzburg
July is the sunniest month in Pietermaritzburg, with estimated sunshine of 78% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 24%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 49% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Pietermaritzburg is cloudier than 95% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in February at 80% and is lowest in July at 54%.
Pietermaritzburg has about 13 days a year above 32°C. Pietermaritzburg is cooler than 65% of South Africa.
First and last freeze in Pietermaritzburg
The first fall freeze in Pietermaritzburg typically comes around June 6, and the last spring freeze around August 16. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 294 days.
Pietermaritzburg weather records
These records cover CEDARA during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Pietermaritzburg station is 41°C, on December 24, 2015. The coldest is -5°C, on July 9, 2014.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 176 mm of precipitation, on November 15, 1999.
35 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.4°C per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Pietermaritzburg
The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to November, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
Winter (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 21°C and lows near 4°C.
Spring (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 25°C and lows near 11°C.
Summer (December–February) is warm, with average highs around 27°C and lows near 15°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 24°C and lows near 10°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15° | 27° | 87 mm | 14 | 79% | 33% | 38° | 6° |
| February | 15° | 27° | 74 mm | 12 | 80% | 31% | 37° | 8° |
| March | 14° | 26° | 77 mm | 13 | 78% | 43% | 36° | 4° |
| April | 11° | 24° | 38 mm | 9 | 74% | 46% | 35° | 0° |
| May | 7° | 23° | 18 mm | 5 | 69% | 68% | 32° | -4° |
| June | 3° | 21° | 7.9 mm | 3 | 62% | 77% | 29° | -4° |
| July | 3° | 21° | 12 mm | 3 | 54% | 78% | 30° | -5° |
| August | 6° | 22° | 11 mm | 4 | 59% | 67% | 34° | -4° |
| September | 9° | 24° | 27 mm | 8 | 68% | 50% | 37° | -3° |
| October | 11° | 24° | 62 mm | 14 | 73% | 37% | 38° | 2° |
| November | 12° | 25° | 74 mm | 13 | 77% | 28% | 38° | 3° |
| December | 14° | 26° | 90 mm | 15 | 80% | 24% | 41° | 4° |
Station: CEDARA, 14 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.
Pietermaritzburg climate questions
How much rain does Pietermaritzburg get?
Pietermaritzburg gets 578 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 113 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Pietermaritzburg?
December is the wettest month in Pietermaritzburg, with 90 mm. June is the driest, with 8 mm.
How many rainy days does Pietermaritzburg have a year?
Pietermaritzburg has about 113 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 15.
What is the hottest month in Pietermaritzburg?
February is the warmest month in Pietermaritzburg, with an average high of 27°C.
What is the coldest month in Pietermaritzburg?
June is the coldest month in Pietermaritzburg, with an average low of 3°C.
What is the record high temperature in Pietermaritzburg?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Pietermaritzburg station is 41°C, set on December 24, 2015. The record low is -5°C, on July 9, 2014.
What is the sunniest month in Pietermaritzburg?
July is the sunniest month in Pietermaritzburg, with estimated sunshine of 78% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Pietermaritzburg?
The first fall freeze in Pietermaritzburg typically comes around June 6. The last spring freeze is around August 16.
What is the best time to visit Pietermaritzburg?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to November, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.