Weather in Cape Town for May 2026
Until now, May 2026 in Cape Town is cooler than usual, with temperatures averaging 17.8 °C, this is -2.6 °C below the typical seasonal average.
The forecast for the next days in Cape Town predicts temperatures to be around 19 °C, close to the historical average.
In general, the average temperature in Cape Town at the beginning of May is 20.9 °C. As the month progressed, temperatures tended to noticeably cool down, reaching an average of 18.4 °C by the end of May.
The climate of Cape Town in May is notably wet, with an average of 15 rainy days, and a total of 77.6 mm of precipitation.
New! Chat with our AI weatherman - it’s amazing and free.
Temperatures
Rain 🌧️
More
Cape Town Weather May
Temperatures trend during May in Cape Town
May weather in Cape Town day by day
| Date | Weather | Temperatures | Rain | UV | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May |  Overcast | 20° /12° | 0.8 mm | 5 | |
| 2 May |  Sunny | 22° /13° | 0.5 mm | 6 | |
| 3 May | Sunny | 24° /13° | 0.1 mm | 6 | |
| 4 May |  Partly cloudy | 21° /13° | 7.1 mm | 6 | |
| 5 May | Sunny | 21° /12° | 0.8 mm | 6 | |
| 6 May |  Heavy rain at times | 19° /13° | 10.1 mm | 5 | |
| 7 May | Partly cloudy | 19° /13° | 1.7 mm | 5 | |
| 8 May | Sunny | 19° /12° | 0 mm | 5 | |
| 9 May | Overcast | 20° /11° | 0 mm | 5 | |
| 10 May | Overcast | 19° /11° | 10.1 mm | 5 | |
| 11 May |  Patchy rain possible | 18° /12° | 12.4 mm | 4 | |
| 12 May | Sunny | 19° /11° | 3.8 mm | 5 | |
| 13 May | Sunny | 20° /12° | 0.2 mm | 5 | |
| 14 May | Sunny | 21° /12° | 0.1 mm | 6 | |
| 15 May | Partly cloudy | 21° /12° | 4.7 mm | 6 | |
| 16 May | Partly cloudy | 23° /12° | 2 mm | 6 | |
| 17 May | Overcast | 21° /13° | 0.4 mm | 5 | |
| 18 May | Sunny | 21° /13° | 0.7 mm | 6 | |
| 19 May | Patchy rain possible | 21° /16° | 0.4 mm | 1.9 | |
| 20 May | Partly cloudy | 21° /16° | 0.1 mm | 2.9 | |
| 21 May | Sunny | 19° /16° | 0 mm | 3.1 | |
| 22 May | Patchy rain possible | 18° /15° | 0.1 mm | 5 | |
| 23 May | Sunny | 19° /15° | 0 mm | 6 | |
| 24 May | Partly cloudy | 18° /15° | 0 mm | 6 | |
| 25 May | Sunny | 21° /15° | 0.1 mm | 6 | |
| 26 May | Sunny | 19° /16° | 0 mm | 6 | |
| 27 May | Sunny | 19° /15° | 0 mm | 6 | |
| 28 May | Sunny | 19° /15° | 0 mm | 6 | |
| 29 May | Patchy rain possible | 18° /14° | 0.2 mm | 5 | |
| 30 May | Sunny | 16° /12° | 0 mm | 5 | |
| 31 May | Sunny | 17° /13° | 0 mm | 5 | |
| Next | |||||
Cape Town in May - FAQ
What are the expected maximum and minimum temperatures in Cape Town during May?
How much rainfall should be expected in Cape Town during May?
What are the typical wind conditions in Cape Town during May?
Cape Town water temperatures in May
The average water temperature of the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Town in May is 15 °C. At the beginning of May temperatures are around 15.1 °C; by the end of the month they get a bit cooler and reach 14.3 °C.
- What is the water temperature in Cape Town in May?
- The average water temperature in Cape Town in May is 15 °C.
- Can you swim in Cape Town in May?
- Cold enough that you lose heat fast. A full 4–5 mm wetsuit (plus hood/gloves for comfort) is advisable for anything beyond a brief plunge.
May rainfall patterns in Cape Town
UV exposure in Cape Town during May
Quick links
Where is Cape Town?Get accurate weather forecasts for Cape Town, located at latitude -33.926 and longitude 18.423. Stay updated with localized weather information tailored for Cape Town.