When to Visit Windhoek

Windhoek's hottest month shares the top spot with December, pushing highs to 30°C (86°F) while lows sit around a mild 17°C (62°F). Expect about eight days of rain, mostly arriving as afternoon thunderstorms that build quickly and clear within an hour or two. Humidity hovers near 40 percent, UV peaks at 15, and the city feels a touch quieter as the holiday rush fades.

Slightly cooler than January, with highs near 28°C (83°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), but this is Windhoek's wettest month at roughly 81 millimetres of rainfall across eight rainy days. Humidity climbs to about 52 percent, which is about as muggy as the city gets. The landscape around the plateau is at its greenest, and the afternoon storms can be spectacular to watch from a cafe terrace. UV remains at a scorching 15.

The tail end of the wet season still brings meaningful rain, around 79 millimetres over six days, and humidity peaks for the year at 57 percent. Highs ease to 27°C (80°F) with lows of 15°C (59°F). Mornings tend to feel heavy and warm before the clouds build. UV drops slightly to 13 but is still intense. This is one of the quieter months for tourism.

A transition month that feels like Windhoek shaking off the wet season. Rain drops to about 38 millimetres over just four days, and you start getting longer stretches of unbroken sunshine. Highs are a comfortable 25°C (78°F), lows cool to 12°C (55°F), and humidity holds at 52 percent early in the month before trending drier. UV is 10. This is one of the more underrated months to visit.

The dry season announces itself clearly. Rain drops to a negligible 8 millimetres, essentially one brief shower for the whole month. Highs of 22°C (72°F) feel pleasant in the dry plateau air. But lows of 9°C (48°F) mean you will want something warm for evenings. Humidity is 38 percent, UV is 8, and the skies start taking on that winter crispness Windhoek is known for.

Winter proper arrives. Highs of 20°C (68°F) are comfortable in the sun but feel cool in shade, and lows of 6°C (44°F) make early mornings cold by Namibian standards. Rain is essentially zero, humidity sits at 36 percent, and UV drops to 6, the lowest of the year though still enough to burn on a long outdoor day. The bone-dry air means frost can form on the outskirts of Windhoek on still nights.

June's twin in most ways. Highs hit 20°C (68°F), lows drop to 6°C (43°F), zero rain, and humidity bottoms out at 26 percent. UV edges to 7. This is Windhoek's winter core. The dry season peaks now. Animals crowd water sources across Namibia. Game viewing hits its stride. The city swells with travelers staging safaris. Pack for cold nights. African heat alone won't cut it.

Warmth returns. Highs climb to 23°C (74°F), lows to 8°C (47°F). Still no rain. Air stays bone dry at 19 percent humidity. UV reaches 8. August days feel almost Mediterranean. Warm. Still. Deep blue overhead. Visitors keep coming.

Spring hits fast on the plateau. Highs touch 26°C (79°F), lows sit at 11°C (53°F). Rain hints back: 3 millimetres, maybe one wet day. A tease, not a shift. Humidity hits its yearly low, 19 percent. UV spikes to 10. Jacarandas bloom across older suburbs. The mood lifts.

Heat arrives. Highs reach 29°C (84°F), lows 14°C (58°F). Rain stays scarce: 13 millimetres over a day or two. Humidity holds at 24 percent. UV surges to 13. Summer nears. October has a sweet spot. Visit before the wet season and full heat land.

November brings the first real rains. About 28 millimetres across three days. Highs hold at 29°C (85°F), lows at 15°C (60°F). Warmth without the heavy humidity of January or February. Moisture sits at 34 percent. UV hits 14. The brown land greens.

The holidays deliver Windhoek's hottest weather. Highs peak at 30°C (87°F), lows at 16°C (62°F). Rain rises to 41 millimetres over five days. Humidity climbs to 46 percent. UV maxes at 15. Afternoon storms return. Heat, moisture, holiday buzz. December hums. Book early. Christmas and New Year fill fast.