Cape Town Weather

With a large mountain and two oceans to influence its climate, you can experience all kinds of weather in Cape Town. In fact, within Cape Town itself you can experience microclimates with different parts of the city experiencing slightly different conditions.

For visitors planning a trip to Cape Town, here is a summary of the average weather conditions they should expect at different times of year.

Summer is from mid-October to March. The peak summer season for tourism is between November and February. Temperatures at this time tend to be between lows of 16 (61F) and highs of 26 Celsius (79F). It is a Mediterranean climate with long sunny days and little rainfall.

A strong, south-easterly wind known as the Cape Doctor sometimes blows through Cape Town making it feel cooler than the actual temperatures would suggest. It is called the Cape Doctor because locals believe it blows away pollution.

Spring is around September/October time. Highs will be around 19 to 21 Celsius (66F - 70F) and lows between 9 to 11 Celcius (48F - 52F). At this time of year you can enjoy stunning scenes as flowers come into bloom. The West Coast is especially well-known for its beauty at this time. It is also when Whales visit the coastline, bringing many tourists to places like Hermanus.

Autumn is around April/May and you can expect lows of 9 Celsius (48F) and highs of around 22 Celsius (72F). Just like spring the days can be quite pleasant, but evenings tend to be a little cold.

Both spring and autumn can be good times to visit for people who do not like the very hot weather of peak summer season.

Winter is when Cape Town is traditionally cold and wet. That said, during the months of June, July and August highs of around 17 Celsius (63F) are not uncommon. You can also enjoy dry periods during winter.

The other factor to take into account when visiting Cape Town is the wind. There are certain beaches such as Clifton and Llandudno which are fairly well sheltered from the wind. If the winds are strong it may be best to choose one of these if you are looking to spend some time by the sea.

The strong winds can mean cloud cover forms very quickly. This can catch out tourists visiting the top of Table Mountain. Even on hot days it can get chilly at the top of the mountain, and cloud cover can mean views from the top are limited.

Overall, Cape Town's climate is quite temperate and with such a scenic backdrop, the different seasons all have their own appeal. Whatever time you are visiting Cape Town, be prepared for the weather you are likely to face and enjoy all this beautiful city has to offer.

http://www.sightseer.tv Mark Egan is a former BBC journalist, multi-media expert and trainer. Sightseer.TV is a innovative travel video website featuring dozens of videos from Cape Town, London and Buenos Aires. These short, snappy videos aim to make site users feel like they are being shown around these cities by a friend. Mark Egan is based in London and does work for major broadcasters and websites.

Article Source: Mark_A_Egan