Posts tagged weather

South Africa: the land of endless sunshine, warm weather and dry, blue sky days.

This is what many World Cup visitors to South Africa will be expecting when they descend on our shores before the kick-off on 11^th June.  What many visitors might not take into consideration is the fact that it’s actually going to be the middle of our winter here (we are in the Southern Hemisphere after all).

So it’s going to be a little chilly.  And, if you’re going to Cape Town, it’s going to be a little wet.

For our tourists hoping to make the best of the 2010 World Cup, here’s a brief weather and packing guide to make your holiday that much more enjoyable.  Games are schedule for kick-off at 13:30, 16:00 and 20:30 – so you’ll need different layers of clothing for different times of the day.

Johannesburg (Soccer City & Ellis Park Stadiums)

Two major stadiums are situated in Johannesburg and between them will host key matches including the opening ceremony and the final.  Johannesburg is often a beautiful city in winter, commonly with clear blue skies during the day and bright warm sunshine.  In the middle of a good day, as you experience temperatures of up to 20°C for the 13:30 games, you might even need to slap on a little sunscreen and wear your supporters cap.

In the early mornings and evenings though, it’s a different story altogether.  Temperatures can often drop to zero or just below zero at night and if an icy wind is blowing during the day (even if the sky is blue and the sun is shining) a day-time maximum of 10°C is possible.  As soon as the sun drops low in the sky, the temperature plummets so take an extra layer of warmth to the stadiums with you for the 16:00 games.  Prepare for early morning temperatures of 0 – 5°C.

For the 20:30 games, you’ll need a good few layers – a thick warm jacket, woolly hat and gloves will help you ward off the inevitable winter night chill.  Johannesburg is mostly dry during winter, but there is the chance of the occasional winter shower so it’s wise to pack a light-weight rain coat.

Essentials: Heavy jacket, gloves, warm socks, scarf, thermal underwear, sunscreen

Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld)

Pretoria’s weather is very similar to Johannesburg’s, with the only difference being a 1 – 2°C higher temperature during the day and the mornings.  So, dress as per the guidance for Johannesburg – sunscreen during the day with a jacket and cold weather gear for the evenings.

Essentials: Heavy jacket, gloves, warm socks, scarf, sunscreen

Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium)

Host of many first round games (including England vs USA) and a round of 16 game, Rustenburg is normally relatively warm on a winters day, with temperatures a few degrees higher than you would expect in Johannesburg.  The 13:30 games in Rustenburg will be relatively pleasant from a temperature perspective, but come 16:00 when the sun starts dropping, the same weathers rules as Johannesburg will apply.

20:30 games will be very cold, so pack the warm jackets, woolly hats and gloves to keep you warm during the games.

Essentials: Heavy jacket, gloves, warm socks, scarf, thermal underwear, sunscreen

Polokwane and Nelspruit (Peter Mokaba and Mbombela Stadiums)

These two cities host a number of group games and will have some of the most moderate temperatures for the 13:30 games – approximately 20 – 23°C during the day.  Dry conditions prevail here and you can expect early morning temperatures of 4 – 6°C.  Consider taking a warm sweat-shirt and light jacket for the 16:00 and 20:30 kick-off games.

Essentials: Light jacket, sweatshirt, sunscreen

Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium)

Bloemfontein hosts a number of first round games and one round of 16 game and, whilst middle of the day temperatures can be relatively warm (17°C) and conditions dry (very dry), the temperature plummets drastically overnight.  Early morning temperatures of approximately -2°C are relatively common and for the 20:30 games, you’ll definitely need a very warm jacket and your ski gloves.  No raincoat required!

Essentials: Heavy jacket, gloves, warm socks, scarf, thermal underwear, sunscreen

Durban (Moses Mabhida Stadium)

This iconic new stadium in Durban is host to some first round games, a round of 16 game and a semi-final and will, thankfully, provide some of the most moderate weather for the fans.  Winter weather in Durban is wonderful and, despite temperatures not soaring higher than 23°C in June/July, the real joy comes in the moderate evening and early morning temperatures of approximately 11°C.  Expect sunshine during the day, but you’ll need a sweat-shirt or jacket in the evenings.

Essentials: Light jacket, sweatshirt, sunscreen

Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Stadium)

This is where the fun begins, for Port Elizabeth is known as the “Windy City”.  Combine this with the typically wet weather conditions that can be expected in Port Elizabeth in winter and brace yourself, fans.  Temperatures will not drop exceptionally low in Port Elizabeth in the evenings and early mornings (when compared to Bloemfontein and Johannesburg), but the rain and wind may make the average minimum temperature of 10°C seem colder.

Day-time temperatures can reach up to 20°C so for the group games that start at 13:30 you’ll need a light jacket but almost certainly a raincoat.  For the 16:00 and 20:30 games consider adding a heavier jacket to you bag, in addition to your raincoat.

Essentials: Raincoat, warm jacket, warm socks, gloves

Cape Town (Green Point Stadium)

Cape Town is known for its beautiful scenery – the mountain, the beaches, the forests.  The problem is, in winter you can’t see any of it thanks to the persistent, driving rain.  So, for World Cup fans attending football games in Cape Town, a rain coat is a must.  In fact, maybe you should pack your wellington boots too.

Winter in Cape Town is very similar to winter in England – wet and miserable.  Temperatures are moderate, so to speak, but often the daily maximum temperature is only 2 – 3°C higher than the minimum, so you can spend the entire day feeling cold and damp.  Expect minimum temperatures of approximately 5 – 7°C and maximum temperatures of 15°C.  Oh, and some rain.

Essentials: Raincoat, warm jacket, warm socks, gloves

See you at a game!