Western Cape weather in May
May is a fair month to visit Western Cape: highs of 18°C (64°F) and about 51 mm (2.0 in) of rain on average. Nights average 15°C (59°F) and cloud cover 41% (NASA POWER, 2001–2025 averages). The sea averages 14°C (57°F). It is the 4th wettest month of the year and the 6th coolest. Compared with April, it is cooler and wetter; June brings highs of 16°C (62°F) and 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain.
Figures are long-term averages for Cape Town, the largest city in Western Cape. See below for other places.
Is May a good time to visit Western Cape?
fair month Weather score 77/100.
May is a fair month in Western Cape. The weather is usually best in Nov–Apr.
Does it rain a lot in Western Cape in May?
No, it is usually dry: about 51 mm (2.0 in) falls in an average May. It is the 4th wettest month of the year.
How warm is Western Cape in May?
Days average 18°C (64°F) and nights 15°C (59°F).
Western Cape weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Cloud | Sea | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C (71°F) | 18°C (65°F) | 14 mm | 25% | 14°C (58°F) | best |
| February | 22°C (72°F) | 19°C (65°F) | 9 mm | 25% | 15°C (59°F) | best |
| March | 21°C (70°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 17 mm | 26% | 15°C (60°F) | best |
| April | 19°C (67°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 37 mm | 32% | 14°C (57°F) | best |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm | 41% | 14°C (57°F) | fair |
| June | 16°C (62°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm | 41% | 14°C (57°F) | least pleasant |
| July | 16°C (60°F) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm | 38% | 14°C (57°F) | least pleasant |
| August | 16°C (60°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm | 41% | 14°C (58°F) | least pleasant |
| September | 17°C (62°F) | 14°C (56°F) | 40 mm | 40% | 14°C (57°F) | fair |
| October | 18°C (64°F) | 15°C (58°F) | 31 mm | 35% | 14°C (57°F) | fair |
| November | 19°C (66°F) | 16°C (60°F) | 30 mm | 32% | 13°C (55°F) | best |
| December | 21°C (69°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 12 mm | 27% | 14°C (58°F) | best |
Sources: 2001–2025 monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), sea temperature from Open-Meteo Marine. Page updated . How we rate months
Weather across Western Cape in May
Weather can differ a lot within Western Cape: coasts, hills and mountains each have their own climate.
| Place | High | Low | Rain | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 18°C (64°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm | fair |
| Athlone | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 71 mm | fair |
| Paarl | 21°C (69°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 75 mm | fair |
| Somerset West | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 71 mm | fair |
| George | 21°C (69°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 31 mm | fair |
| Worcester | 19°C (66°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm | fair |
| Stellenbosch | 19°C (66°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 71 mm | fair |
| Atlantis | 21°C (69°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 75 mm | fair |
| Mossel Bay | 21°C (70°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm | fair |
| Oudtshoorn | 20°C (68°F) | 7°C (44°F) | 31 mm | fair |
| Saldanha | 19°C (67°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm | fair |