The Climate of KwaZulu Natal Province
KwaZulu Natal is situated on the east coast of South Africa and its shores are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. It enjoys a warm, coastal climate with plenty of sunshine, quite a lot of humidity and a fair amount of light rainfall. This means that the terrain is green and plentiful and visitors can look forward to plenty of great weather. KwaZulu Natal’s climate is generally quite warm and even the winters are mild. Much of this is owing to its subtropical latitude and its affiliation with the Indian Ocean.
The capital city of KwaZulu Natal is Durban and this colorful city enjoys a relaxed atmosphere with roughly 320 days of sunshine each year. Summer hits the province between September and April and temperatures stay comfortable between 23º and 33º C during this time. January is considered the hottest month of the year and this is when temperatures average 32º C. During this time, most locals and also some visitors choose to make the most of the good weather by heading off to the city’s many great beaches. Some may find, however, that the rather warm waters of the Mozambique current which flow past the city are not very refreshing. The seas temperature in KwaZulu Natal seldom falls below 17º C – even in mid winter – so you can be sure that you are bound to experience warm waters when visiting Durban.
The subtropical climate experienced in Durban can be found in much of the province. To the north of the city, KwaZulu Natal’s climate becomes even more subtropical and you should prepare for hot, sultry days and balmy nights if you are planning to visit St Lucia and Kosi Bay. If you find that the humidity is just too much for you to handle, you can move inland to the Zululand and Thukela regions where the humidity lesions but the weather still stays warm. A little further east towards the Great Escarpment you’ll find even more relief as temperatures start to drop and the air becomes crisper and cooler. In winter, towns such as Bergville and Winterton experience lower temperatures which visitors often welcome after spending time in Durban or other parts of KZN. So plan carefully and make the most of your holiday in KwaZulu Natal.
