May 17 is statistically one of the best days of the year in Cape Town. With minimal rain risk (13%) and pleasant highs of 21°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 May 17
"Mild & Comfortable. Expect average highs of 20.8°C. 13% chance of rain."
What to Wear in Cape Town in May
Based on historical data for May 17, Cape Town typically experiences temperatures between 11.6°C and 20.8°C. We recommend packing light jacket, long pants to stay comfortable. Trends suggest it will stay mostly dry (13% rain probability), but checking the forecast before heading out is always wise.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Cape Town
Smart Suitcase
- Light Jacket
- Long Pants
Average High
20.8°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
11.6°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
20.9°C
☀️ Feels accurate
Rain Chance
13%
Avg 0.8mm if it rains
Cloud Cover
52%
Overcast
Pressure
1017.4 hPa
Medium 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 86% of the time. Safe to plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 15 for extended outdoor time
Type I-II
🔴 200 min to burn
Type III-IV
🟡 300 min to burn
Type V-VI
🟢 500 min to burn
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
16.8°C
Noticeable
Heat Stress
Low
No heat warning
😊 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
93/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Required
2 vaccines • View Details →
Landing Slots
~125
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Cape Town
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
07:34
☀️ Noon
12:44
🌇 Sunset
17:54
⏱️ Daylight
10h 19m
Wind Speed
15 km/h
Gentle breeze
Sunshine
8.3 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
78%
Humid / Damp
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
🟡 Busy
Price Level
💰💰💰 Expensive
Health & Wellbeing
Meteo-Health Forecast
Moderate fluctuations. Some sensitivity possible.
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 May 17 averages 20.8°C with a 13% 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 (May 17) in other destinations
🌍 Explore the same date in different destinations around the world
📍 Is Cape Town Worth Visiting on May 17?
Planning a trip to Cape Town on May 17? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year is characterized by pleasant mild weather averaging 20.8°C with a 13% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 125 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 13.7°C (polar plunge). Wave conditions are generally surfers only with heights around 2.71m.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest May 17 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 28.9°C in 2025, while the coldest dropped to 7.4°C in 2021.