What May feels like in Johannesburg
Late autumn arrives in Johannesburg with May (Johannesburg is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons run opposite to Europe and North America). The middle of the day is pleasantly mild. Nights are cold; with a gap of about 12.5°C (22.5°F) between afternoon and night, early mornings can surprise you. Humidity is moderate, so the air feels neither sticky nor dry.
Rain in Johannesburg in May
Dry weather dominates, and an umbrella can mostly stay packed. Each rainy day adds about 5 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 7.1 mm per rainy day.
Daylight and sunshine in May
In mid-May, sunrise is at about 6:38 am and sunset at about 5:30 pm (local time) — 10 h 51 min of daylight. Compared with mid-April, the day has lost 38 min. The sun is out for roughly 90% of those daylight hours, so skies are mostly clear.
How May compares to the rest of the year
In Johannesburg's temperature order, May sits as the 3rd coolest month. Against April, the average high is 1.6°C (2.9°F) lower, with 38 mm less rain. Temperatures keep falling into June. By June, typical highs are 16.6°C (61.9°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — good conditions for sitting outside.
Tips for visiting Johannesburg in May
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Sunglasses
Plenty of sun, so bring sunglasses and a cap.
Quick questions
How warm is Johannesburg in May?
It feels mild: typical highs are 19.1°C (66.4°F), with lows near 6.6°C (43.9°F).
Does it rain a lot in Johannesburg in May?
Hardly — only about 3 rainy days and 15 mm for the whole month.
What should I wear in Johannesburg in May?
Based on the averages: versatile layers and sunglasses. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is May or June better for visiting Johannesburg?
May scores better on our climate ranking (#3 of 12 vs #5), rated Great against Great. June is cooler and has fewer rainy days.