December weather - Summer 2024 - Cape Town, South Africa

Weather in December
Frequently asked questions
Average temperature in December
Average pressure in December
Average wind speed in December
Average humidity in December
Average rainfall in December
Average rainfall days in December
Average sea temperature in December
Average daylight in December
Average sunshine in December
Average sunshine days in December
Average UV index in December
Average cloud cover in December
Average visibility in December

Cape Town, South Africa, with the surrounding calm clear waters and several mountains

Weather in December

December marks the onset of peak summer in Cape Town. With average temperatures scaling to a yearly high of 24.3°C (75.7°F), and daylight hours extending to 14.4 hours, this period becomes the most favorite for beach visits and water activities. Despite the occasional windy day, the holiday season combined with ideal weather conditions warrants a steady influx of tourists. The month ends on a high note with warm festive celebrations welcoming the New Year and setting the stage for another cycle of seasonal transitions.

Temperature

With the start of December, Cape Town measures an average high-temperature of a warm 24.3°C (75.7°F), not significantly differing from November's 22°C (71.6°F). Cape Town temperatures generally rest at a low of 16.3°C (61.3°F) during the December nights.

Humidity

February, April and December, with an average relative humidity of 68%, are the least humid months.

Rainfall

In Cape Town, South Africa, in December, it is raining for 6.4 days, with typically 16mm (0.63") of accumulated precipitation. In Cape Town, during the entire year, the rain falls for 111 days and collects up to 435mm (17.13") of precipitation.

Sea temperature

In December, the average sea temperature is 18.1°C (64.6°F).
Note: Swimming is not a pleasurable activity for the majority in water at 18.1°C (64.6°F). Breathing control gets harder as the water temperature dips from 21°C (69.8°F) to 15°C (59°F).

Daylight

December has the longest days of the year, with an average of 14h and 24min of daylight.
On the first day of December in Cape Town, sunrise is at 05:28 and sunset at 19:42. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 05:38 and sunset at 20:00 SAST.

Sunshine

With an average of 11.1h of sunshine, December has the most sunshine of the year in Cape Town.

UV index

The months with the highest UV index are January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6. A UV Index estimate of 6 to 7 represents a high health vulnerability from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation for the ordinary person.
Note: In December, a daily UV index of 6 turns into the following recommendations:
Avoid overexposure. Fair-skinned individuals can burn in under 20 minutes. Seek shade and minimize exposure to direct Sun in a period between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV radiation is most intense; keep in mind that shade structures like parasols or canopies do not provide perfect sun protection. On sunny days, it's ideal to wear sunglasses that filter out UVA and UVB rays.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the temperature in December in Cape Town?

Cape Town in December has an average high-temperature of 24.3°C (75.7°F) and an average low-temperature of 16.3°C (61.3°F).

What is the least humid month in Cape Town?

February, April and December, with an average relative humidity of 68%, are the least humid months in Cape Town, South Africa.

What is the average humidity in December in Cape Town?

The average relative humidity in December is 68%.

How many days does it rain in December in Cape Town?

In Cape Town, South Africa, during December, the rain falls for 6.4 days and regularly aggregates up to 16mm (0.63") of precipitation.

What is the sea temperature in December in Cape Town?

In December, the average sea temperature in Cape Town, South Africa, is 18.1°C (64.6°F). For swimming, a surface water temperature of 18.1°C (64.6°F) is not enjoyable for the majority. It is not considered safe, as controlling breathing becomes progressively more difficult as water temperature decreases below 21°C (69.8°F).

When are the longest days in Cape Town?

With an average of 14h and 24min of daylight, December has the longest days of the year.

How many hours of daylight does Cape Town have in December?

In Cape Town, the average day length in December is 14h and 22min.

When is the sunrise / sunset in December in Cape Town?

In December, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 05:28 and sunset at 19:42. On the last day of the month, in Cape Town, sunrise is at 05:38 and sunset at 20:00 SAST.

What month has the most sunshine in Cape Town?

With an average of 11.1h of sunshine, December has the most sunshine of the year in Cape Town.

How many hours of sunshine does Cape Town have in December?

In Cape Town, the average sunshine duration in December is 11.1h.

When is the highest UV index in Cape Town?

January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in Cape Town, South Africa.

What is the UV index intensity in December in Cape Town?

In Cape Town, the average daily maximum UV index in December is 6. A UV Index of 6 to 7 symbolizes a high health vulnerability from unsafe exposure to Sun's UV rays.

Today

Tomorrow

Long-term

Year J F M A M J J A S O N December

Nov

December

Jan

Average high temperature

22°C 71.6°F

24.3°C 75.7°F

25.8°C 78.4°F

Average low temperature

Average pressure

Average wind speed

Average max. wind speed

18.6km/h 11.6mph

18.7km/h 11.6mph

18.8km/h 11.7mph

Average wind speed gusts

Average humidity

Average rainfall

Average rainfall days

6.4

6.7

Average sea temperature

Average daylight

Average sunshine

Average sunshine days

22.6

23.1

Average UV index

Average cloud cover

Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average high temperature in December: 24.3°C

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is February (26.1°C).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is August (16.6°C).

Average low temperature in December: 16.3°C

The month with the highest average low temperature is January (17.7°C).
The coldest months (with the lowest average low temperature) are July and August (10.2°C).

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Average pressure in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average pressure in December: 1014.3mbar

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is July (1022mbar).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is February (1013.4mbar).

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Average wind speed in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average wind speed in December: 17.3km/h

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (17.6km/h).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is May (13.4km/h).

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Average humidity in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average humidity in December: 68%

The months with the highest relative humidity are June, August and September (74%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are February, April and December (68%).

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Average rainfall in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average rainfall in December: 16mm

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (98mm).
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is February (7mm).

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Average rainfall days in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average rainfall days in December: 6.4 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is June (13.8 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (4.9 days).

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Average sea temperature in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average sea temperature in December: 18.1°C

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is January (18.5°C).
The coldest months (with the lowest average sea temperature) are July, August and September (15.3°C).

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Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average daylight in December: 14h and 2min

The month with the longest days is December (Average daylight: 14h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is June (Average daylight: 9h and 54min).

Average sunshine in December: 11h and 1min

The month with the most sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 11h and 6min).
The month with the least sunshine is June (Average sunshine: 6h and 0min).

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Average sunshine days in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average sunshine days in December: 22.6 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (23.1 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is June (14.6 days).

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Average UV index in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average UV index in December: 6

The months with the highest UV index are January, February and December (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index 4).

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Average cloud cover in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average cloud cover in December: 19

The month with the most cloud cover is June (Cloud cover 34).
The month with the least cloud cover is February (Cloud cover 15).

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Average visibility in December
Cape Town, South Africa

Average visibility in December: 10km

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (10km).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (10km).

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December weather forecast
Cape Town, South Africa

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