January 3 is statistically one of the best days of the year in Cape Town. With minimal rain risk (3%) and pleasant highs of 27°C, it's ideal for outdoor adventures. Expect a bustling atmosphere in Cape Town right now—this is when the city truly comes alive with visitors.
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Essential Travel Info for Cape Town
Currency
ZAR
R South African rand
Language
Afrikaans
+10 more
Driving
Left side
Connect
Many carriers (especially in Europe) cha...
Safety
Moderate Safety
GPI: 2.283
Cape Town Weather Forecast for January 3
"Warm & Sunny. Expect average highs of 27.1°C. 3% chance of rain."
What to Wear in Cape Town in January
Based on historical data for January 3, Cape Town typically experiences temperatures between 16.8°C and 27.1°C. We recommend packing t-shirt, light clothing to stay comfortable. Trends suggest it will stay mostly dry (3% rain probability), but checking the forecast before heading out is always wise.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Cape Town
Smart Suitcase
- T-Shirt
- Light Clothing
Average High
27.1°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
16.8°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
28.7°C
🔥 Minor difference
Rain Chance
3%
Avg 0.1mm if it rains
Cloud Cover
21%
Overcast
Pressure
1013.5 hPa
Low volatility
Cape Town Weather Conditions & UV Index
Weather Confidence
30-year variance analysis
Based on 10 years of data
🎯 This date historically delivers consistent weather 82% of the time. Safe to plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 30+ required, seek shade
05:00 - 10:00
16:00 - 20:00
Type I-II
🔴 10 min to burn
Type III-IV
🟡 15 min to burn
Type V-VI
🟢 25 min to burn
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
20.2°C
Humid/Sticky
Heat Index
28.7°C
Feels hotter
🙂 Best outdoor time:
Any time during daylight hours
Marine Conditions
Marine Life
No special warnings. Enjoy the swim!
Swim Index
❄️ Cold Water Hazard
Travel & Logistics Insights
Local Calendar
Business Day
Standard hours in South Africa
Flight Traffic
High
100/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Required
2 vaccines • View Details →
Landing Slots
~134
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Cape Town
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
05:41
☀️ Noon
12:51
🌇 Sunset
20:02
⏱️ Daylight
14h 20m
Wind Speed
25.2 km/h
Moderate wind
Sunshine
13.1 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
66%
Slightly humid
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Cape Town
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
unlock smart flight estimates
Add your home location in settings to see airport details.
Travel Health & Safety in Cape Town
Travel Comfort Index
Real-time tourism conditions
Weather Quality
☀️ Excellent
Tourist Crowds
🟢 Moderate
Price Level
💰💰 Moderate
Health & Wellbeing
Meteo-Health Forecast
Stable conditions. Low risk of headaches.
Weather unlikely to affect joint pain.
Moderate fish activity expected.
Air quality is acceptable. Sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Regional Safety Profile
Seismic Activity
Zero seismic activity detected in 30 years.
"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA satellite data, Cape Town on January 3 averages 27.1°C with a 3% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 100/100."
— Source: 30YearWeather.com|Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)|View Methodology
Cape Town Weather History (2010–2024)
Temperature History
Hall of Fame
Records from last 10 years
Compare Other Cities
Same date (January 3) in other destinations
🌍 Explore the same date in different destinations around the world
📍 Is Cape Town Worth Visiting on January 3?
Planning a trip to Cape Town on January 3? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year typically offers vibrant summer conditions averaging 27.1°C with a 3% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 134 landing slots available daily during this period, indicating manageable crowd levels.
💉 Health Advisory: 9 vaccinations are recommended for South Africa, including COVID-19.
🌊 Coastal Conditions: Water temperature averages 14.3°C (polar plunge). Wave conditions are generally surfers only with heights around 2.37m.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest January 3 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 35.3°C in 2018, while the coldest dropped to 14.2°C in 2023.