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Potchefstroom, North West Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Potchefstroom, North West?
Potchefstroom, North West gets 502 mm of precipitation a year over about 77 rainy days. December is the warmest month (average high 32°C) and July the coldest (average low 1°C).
Semi-arid climate
Potchefstroom, North West has hot summers and warm winters. Daytime highs range from about 22°C in July to 31°C in December. December is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 2° | 23° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 12° | 30° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 16° | 31° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 9° | 27° |
How much rain does Potchefstroom get?
Potchefstroom gets 502 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 77 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 68% of South Africa.
December is the wettest month, with 93 mm. July is the driest, with 4 mm. December has the most rainy days, about 12.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 9 days, to August 28, 2026.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Potchefstroom got 67 mm of rain, against a normal of 502 mm for those months. September 2026 had the most, with 52 mm.
Potchefstroom weather by month
Potchefstroom weather in January
In January, Potchefstroom averages a high of 31°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 76 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 52% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 41°C (2016) and the record low is 7°C (2008).
Potchefstroom weather in February
In February, Potchefstroom averages a high of 31°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 74 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 38°C (2013) and the record low is 8°C (2015).
Potchefstroom weather in March
In March, Potchefstroom averages a high of 30°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 63 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 63% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 39°C (2024) and the record low is 3°C (2002).
Potchefstroom weather in April
In April, Potchefstroom averages a high of 27°C and a low of 10°C. It gets 38 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 71% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 36°C (2021) and the record low is -2°C (2007).
Potchefstroom weather in May
In May, Potchefstroom averages a high of 24°C and a low of 4°C. It gets 14 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 83% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 32°C (2012) and the record low is -7°C (2007). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Potchefstroom weather in June
In June, Potchefstroom averages a high of 22°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 8 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 90% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 28°C (2013) and the record low is -9°C (2010). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Potchefstroom weather in July
In July, Potchefstroom averages a high of 22°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 4 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 90% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 29°C (2002) and the record low is -9°C (2014). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Potchefstroom weather in August
In August, Potchefstroom averages a high of 25°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 14 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 87% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 34°C (2012) and the record low is -8°C (2003). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Potchefstroom weather in September
In September, Potchefstroom averages a high of 29°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 13 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 82% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 36°C (2023) and the record low is -6°C (2013).
Potchefstroom weather in October
In October, Potchefstroom averages a high of 31°C and a low of 12°C. It gets 45 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 68% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 41°C (2003) and the record low is -1°C (2024).
Potchefstroom weather in November
In November, Potchefstroom averages a high of 31°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 60 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 58% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 42°C (2021) and the record low is 0°C (2017).
Potchefstroom weather in December
In December, Potchefstroom averages a high of 32°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 93 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 40°C (2015) and the record low is 8°C (1998).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Potchefstroom
June is the sunniest month in Potchefstroom, with estimated sunshine of 90% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 51%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 71% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Potchefstroom is sunnier than 74% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in January at 62% and is lowest in September at 31%.
Potchefstroom has about 52 days a year above 32°C. Potchefstroom is hotter than 71% of South Africa.
First and last freeze in Potchefstroom
The first fall freeze in Potchefstroom typically comes around May 28, and the last spring freeze around August 26. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 275 days.
Potchefstroom weather records
These records cover POTCHEFSTROOM during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Potchefstroom station is 42°C, on November 15, 2021. The coldest is -9°C, on June 17, 2010.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 103 mm of precipitation, on August 5, 1998.
31 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The best time to visit Potchefstroom
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
Winter (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 23°C and lows near 2°C.
Spring (September–November) is hot, with average highs around 30°C and lows near 11°C.
Summer (December–February) is hot, with average highs around 31°C and lows near 16°C.
Autumn (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 27°C and lows near 10°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | 31° | 76 mm | 10 | 62% | 52% | 41° | 7° |
| February | 16° | 31° | 74 mm | 10 | 62% | 53% | 38° | 8° |
| March | 14° | 30° | 63 mm | 10 | 59% | 63% | 39° | 3° |
| April | 10° | 27° | 38 mm | 7 | 56% | 71% | 36° | -2° |
| May | 4° | 24° | 14 mm | 3 | 49% | 83% | 32° | -7° |
| June | 1° | 22° | 7.9 mm | 2 | 47% | 90% | 28° | -9° |
| July | 1° | 22° | 3.8 mm | 1 | 38% | 90% | 29° | -9° |
| August | 3° | 25° | 14 mm | 2 | 33% | 87% | 34° | -8° |
| September | 8° | 29° | 13 mm | 3 | 31% | 82% | 36° | -6° |
| October | 12° | 31° | 45 mm | 8 | 36% | 68% | 41° | -1° |
| November | 14° | 31° | 60 mm | 10 | 48% | 58% | 42° | 0° |
| December | 16° | 32° | 93 mm | 12 | 56% | 51% | 40° | 8° |
Station: POTCHEFSTROOM, 4 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.
Potchefstroom climate questions
How much rain does Potchefstroom get?
Potchefstroom gets 502 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 77 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Potchefstroom?
December is the wettest month in Potchefstroom, with 93 mm. July is the driest, with 4 mm.
How many rainy days does Potchefstroom have a year?
Potchefstroom has about 77 days with measurable rain in an average year. December has the most, about 12.
What is the hottest month in Potchefstroom?
December is the warmest month in Potchefstroom, with an average high of 32°C.
What is the coldest month in Potchefstroom?
July is the coldest month in Potchefstroom, with an average low of 1°C.
What is the record high temperature in Potchefstroom?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Potchefstroom station is 42°C, set on November 15, 2021. The record low is -9°C, on June 17, 2010.
What is the sunniest month in Potchefstroom?
June is the sunniest month in Potchefstroom, with estimated sunshine of 90% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Potchefstroom?
The first fall freeze in Potchefstroom typically comes around May 28. The last spring freeze is around August 26.
What is the best time to visit Potchefstroom?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.