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Richards Bay, 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 Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal?
Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal gets 751 mm of precipitation a year over about 91 rainy days. January is the warmest month (average high 32°C) and June the coldest (average low 11°C).
Tropical savanna climate
Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal has hot summers and warm winters. Daytime highs range from about 26°C in July to 32°C in January. November is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to July, when daytime highs sit near 26°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 12° | 27° |
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 17° | 29° |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 21° | 32° |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 17° | 29° |
How much rain does Richards Bay get?
Richards Bay gets 751 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 91 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 77% of South Africa.
November is the wettest month, with 108 mm. August is the driest, with 24 mm. November has the most rainy days, about 11.
Richards Bay weather by month
Richards Bay weather in January
In January, Richards Bay averages a high of 32°C and a low of 21°C. It gets 83 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 43°C (2002) and the record low is 9°C (2008).
Richards Bay weather in February
In February, Richards Bay averages a high of 32°C and a low of 21°C. It gets 75 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 42°C (2008) and the record low is 11°C (2014).
Richards Bay weather in March
In March, Richards Bay averages a high of 32°C and a low of 20°C. It gets 71 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 54% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 41°C (2007) and the record low is 11°C (2008).
Richards Bay weather in April
In April, Richards Bay averages a high of 29°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 55 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 41°C (2016) and the record low is 9°C (2023).
Richards Bay weather in May
In May, Richards Bay averages a high of 28°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 44 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 72% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 37°C (2007) and the record low is 4°C (2007).
Richards Bay weather in June
In June, Richards Bay averages a high of 27°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 30 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 78% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 39°C (2005) and the record low is 0°C (2023). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Richards Bay weather in July
In July, Richards Bay averages a high of 26°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 42 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 79% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 38°C (2002) and the record low is 1°C (2021). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Richards Bay weather in August
In August, Richards Bay averages a high of 28°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 24 mm of precipitation over about 5 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 68% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 38°C (2012) and the record low is 4°C (2007).
Richards Bay weather in September
In September, Richards Bay averages a high of 29°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 61 mm of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 56% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 42°C (2017) and the record low is 3°C (2013).
Richards Bay weather in October
In October, Richards Bay averages a high of 29°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 77 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 43°C (2021) and the record low is 8°C (2024).
Richards Bay weather in November
In November, Richards Bay averages a high of 31°C and a low of 18°C. It gets 108 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 44°C (2018) and the record low is 4°C (2007).
Richards Bay weather in December
In December, Richards Bay averages a high of 32°C and a low of 20°C. It gets 79 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 32% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 43°C (2014) and the record low is 6°C (2007).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Richards Bay
July is the sunniest month in Richards Bay, with estimated sunshine of 79% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest, at 32%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 55% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Richards Bay is cloudier than 80% of South Africa.
Humidity peaks in February at 77% and is lowest in July at 65%.
Richards Bay has about 70 days a year above 32°C. Richards Bay is hotter than 84% of South Africa.
Richards Bay weather records
These records cover MTUNZINI during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Richards Bay station is 44°C, on November 27, 2018. The coldest is 0°C, on June 7, 2023.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 230 mm of precipitation, on February 19, 1984.
41 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The best time to visit Richards Bay
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to July, when daytime highs sit near 26°C.
Winter (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 27°C and lows near 11°C.
Spring (September–November) is hot, with average highs around 29°C and lows near 17°C.
Summer (December–February) is hot, with average highs around 32°C and lows near 20°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (March–May) is hot, with average highs around 30°C and lows near 17°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21° | 32° | 83 mm | 10 | 75% | 46% | 43° | 9° |
| February | 21° | 32° | 75 mm | 8 | 77% | 43% | 42° | 11° |
| March | 20° | 32° | 71 mm | 8 | 76% | 54% | 41° | 11° |
| April | 17° | 29° | 55 mm | 7 | 77% | 55% | 41° | 9° |
| May | 14° | 28° | 44 mm | 5 | 75% | 72% | 37° | 4° |
| June | 11° | 27° | 30 mm | 5 | 70% | 78% | 39° | 0° |
| July | 11° | 26° | 42 mm | 5 | 65% | 79% | 38° | 1° |
| August | 13° | 28° | 24 mm | 5 | 68% | 68% | 38° | 4° |
| September | 16° | 29° | 61 mm | 7 | 72% | 56% | 42° | 3° |
| October | 17° | 29° | 77 mm | 10 | 74% | 41% | 43° | 8° |
| November | 18° | 31° | 108 mm | 11 | 75% | 37% | 44° | 4° |
| December | 20° | 32° | 79 mm | 10 | 76% | 32% | 43° | 6° |
Station: MTUNZINI, 38 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.
Richards Bay climate questions
How much rain does Richards Bay get?
Richards Bay gets 751 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 91 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Richards Bay?
November is the wettest month in Richards Bay, with 108 mm. August is the driest, with 24 mm.
How many rainy days does Richards Bay have a year?
Richards Bay has about 91 days with measurable rain in an average year. November has the most, about 11.
What is the hottest month in Richards Bay?
January is the warmest month in Richards Bay, with an average high of 32°C.
What is the coldest month in Richards Bay?
June is the coldest month in Richards Bay, with an average low of 11°C.
What is the record high temperature in Richards Bay?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Richards Bay station is 44°C, set on November 27, 2018. The record low is 0°C, on June 7, 2023.
What is the sunniest month in Richards Bay?
July is the sunniest month in Richards Bay, with estimated sunshine of 79% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. December is the cloudiest.
What is the best time to visit Richards Bay?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically June to July, when daytime highs sit near 26°C.