Today in Cape Town, South Africa
Lots of sunshine. High 14C. Winds NNW at 15 to 30 km/h.
Clear skies. Low 9C. Winds light and variable.
This weather data was last updated 2018-06-20 07:41:29.
10 days on...
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Cape Town Weather
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry, warm summers. Winter lasts for 3 months beginning in June and ending in August. During winter the city may experience some great cold fronts which come from the Atlantic Ocean. The cold fronts are also accompanied by strong north-westerly winds and very significant precipitation.
Characteristics Of Mediterranean Climate
Mediterranean climate is characterized by warm/hot dry summers and mild/cool wet winters. Mediterranean climates are associated with 5 large high pressure cells of the oceans of which are the Azores High, Indian Ocean High, North Pacific High, South Pacific High and South Atlantic High. The high pressure cells drift towards the poles during summer and towards the equator during winter and are responsible for the formation of tropical deserts and Mediterranean climate. The South Atlantic high is linked to the Namib Desert and the Mediterranean climate of Cape Town. Under Koppen climate Classification, dry subtropical climates are referred to as Mediterranean climates.
Under Koppen-Geiger System Mediterranean climates are divided into zones. Under this system dry summer subtropical climates occur on the western sides of a continent. Trewartha modified Koppen climate classification and states that for a climate to be Mediterranean it must have at least 8 months with average temperatures of 10 C and average annual rainfall must not exceed 900 mm. Besides just the weather, remember that Cape Town has many gorgeous sites for you to see. Be sure to take your time and plan on visiting as many of the local attractions as you can while you are there. With having a little foreknowledge of the weather you will be better able to enjoy your time and not have to sit and wait for the weather to break.
Strong Winds Of Cape Town
Cape Town can become very hot especially when the Berg Wind (mountain wind) blows from the interior between February and March. In late spring there is also a strong wind known as the Cape Doctor which comes from the south-east. The wind was nicknamed the Cape Doctor because it is thought to blow pollution away from Cape Town. The wind develops from a high pressure system which originates from the South Atlantic to Western Cape Town and is known as the South-Atlantic high. The winds truly can be some of the worst part about traveling to Cape Town. This makes it important to dress in layers. Traditional windbreakers are great for keeping you warm but not hot.
Amount Of Sunshine Hours In Cape Town
Cape Town receives an average of 3100 hours of sunshine in a year, a value which is very close to that of Los Angeles which receives 3300 hours. The most favorable time to visit Cape Town is during summer when the sun is shining and temperatures are suitable for sea bathing. Humidity is relatively lower in summer thus making summer the ideal time to visit Cape Town.
Water temperatures vary between 10 C (50 F) in the Atlantic sea to 22 C (72 F) in False Bay. The ocean temperatures will average between 13 C (55 F) in the Atlantic sea and 17 C (63 F) in False Bay. This means taking a swim can vary between downright chilly and refreshing depending on when and where you take your dip.
Biodiversity Of Cape Town
Cape Town has one of the richest biodiversities than any other equivalent area in the world. The climate in this city supports a total of 19 different types of vegetation. Most of the vegetation found in Cape Town is common to this region and is found nowhere else. Cape Town is home to a wide variety of vegetation species some of which are endangered. The high level of biodiversity in Cape Town may be due to the fact that the city is situated at the convergence of many soil types and different micro climates. It has become a fact that Table Mountain has more species of indigenous plants than the whole of the British Isles.