What March feels like in Cape Town
Early autumn arrives in Cape Town with March (Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to Europe and North America). Days are warm enough for short sleeves, and time outdoors is easy. After sunset it cools off noticeably — nights stay mild. Some humidity hangs in the air, noticeable when the sun is strong.
Rain in Cape Town in March
Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 8. A rainy day brings about 5.8 mm (0.2 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 7.6 mm per rainy day.
Daylight and sunshine in March
In mid-March, sunrise is at about 6:45 am and sunset at about 7:07 pm (local time) — 12 h 21 min of daylight. Compared with mid-February, the day has lost 58 min. The sun is out for roughly 91% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How March compares to the rest of the year
March is the 3rd warmest month of the year in Cape Town. Compared with February, afternoons are 1.4°C (2.5°F) cooler, with 11 mm more rain. The cooling trend carries on into April. The next month's average high: 22.3°C (72.1°F).
Who March suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — the weather rarely gets in the way of a city walk.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — good conditions for sitting outside.
- Beach: a good fit — warm and mostly dry on the coast.
- Hiking: a good fit — mild temperatures for trails.
Tips for visiting Cape Town in March
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Cape Town in March?
Expect around 24.5°C (76.1°F) in the afternoon and 16.5°C (61.7°F) at night, which most visitors would call warm.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in March?
Only moderately: roughly 4 wet days and 23 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Cape Town in March?
The numbers point to versatile layers and sunglasses. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is March or April better for visiting Cape Town?
On our 12-month climate ranking, March comes out ahead (#4 of 12 vs #5). April is cooler.