What September feels like in Cape Town
In Cape Town, September brings early spring (Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to Europe and North America). Afternoons are cool, pleasant for walking as long as you keep a layer on. 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 September
Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 4. Wet days average about 6.3 mm (0.2 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).
Daylight and sunshine in September
In mid-September, sunrise is at about 6:47 am and sunset at about 6:37 pm (local time) — 11 h 50 min of daylight. Since mid-August the day has gained 1 h 1 min. About 86% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, skies are mostly clear.
How September compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, September comes out as the 4th coolest month in Cape Town. Compared with August, afternoons are 1.4°C (2.5°F) warmer, with 39 mm less rain. Temperatures keep climbing into October. The next month's average high: 20.8°C (69.4°F).
Who September suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- 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 September
Light Jacket
Cool days — a light jacket or sweater for walking around.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Cape Town in September?
Afternoons average 17.9°C (64.2°F) and nights about 10.9°C (51.6°F) — cool by most people's standards. It is the 4th coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in September?
Only moderately: roughly 7 wet days and 44 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Cape Town in September?
The numbers point to a light jacket and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is September or October better for visiting Cape Town?
October scores better on our climate ranking (#7 of 12 vs #9), rated Great against Good. October is warmer and has fewer rainy days.