What August feels like in Cape Town
Late winter arrives in Cape Town with August (Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to Europe and North America). Expect cool, jacket-on afternoons — comfortable for a long walk. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cool and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Cape Town in August
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 3. Wet days average about 8.3 mm (0.3 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Cape Town's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 7.6 mm). It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in August
In mid-August, sunrise is at about 7:26 am and sunset at about 6:16 pm (local time) — 10 h 49 min of daylight. Days are getting longer: 44 min more daylight than in mid-July. About 85% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How August compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, August comes out as the 2nd coolest month in Cape Town. It is about as warm as July, with 13 mm less rain. Temperatures keep climbing into September. September averages a high of 17.9°C (64.2°F).
Who August suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — pleasant for gardens, parks and riversides.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Cape Town in August
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Light Jacket
Cool days — a light jacket or sweater for walking around.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Cape Town in August?
Afternoons average 16.5°C (61.7°F) and nights about 9.8°C (49.6°F) — cool by most people's standards. It is the 2nd coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in August?
Quite a lot — 83 mm spread over about 10 days.
What should I wear in Cape Town in August?
Based on the averages: rain protection, a light jacket and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is August or September better for visiting Cape Town?
September scores better on our climate ranking (#9 of 12 vs #10), rated Good against Good. September is warmer and has fewer rainy days.