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Weather & Climate in Potchefstroom, South Africa
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Potchefstroom enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 72°F in January while summers reach 50°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 292 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 24.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 4,380 feet.
Temperature
72°F Jan (22°C)
50°F Jul (10°C)
| Annual Average | 62.9°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| July Average | 50°F (10°C) |
| Sunny Days | 292 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,380 ft (1,335 m) |
| Area | 71.1 sq mi (184.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,507/sq mi |
| Coordinates | -26.7167°N, 27.1000°W |
| Timezone | Africa/Johannesburg |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,080 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| Apr 22, 1999 | 10 km WNW of Welkom, South Africa | M5.7 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2014 | 3 km ESE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.4 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Jun 6, 1992 | 5 km SSE of Welkom, South Africa | M5.3 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 1997 | 5 km SSE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.2 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Apr 3, 2017 | 7 km SSE of Stilfontein, South Africa | M5.2 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1991 | 5 km SE of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M5.1 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2005 | 7 km SSE of Stilfontein, South Africa | M5.0 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Mar 16, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.0 | 43 km | 2 km |
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km S of Welkom, South Africa | M5.0 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jul 21, 1997 | 4 km W of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M5.0 | 50 km | 5 km |
| May 27, 2002 | 4 km ENE of Orkney, South Africa | M5.0 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Jun 14, 2010 | 8 km NNW of Fochville, South Africa | M5.0 | 50 km | 2 km |
| Dec 1, 1991 | 2 km S of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M5.0 | 47 km | 10 km |
| Sep 6, 2004 | 17 km WNW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 59 km | 10 km |
| Dec 11, 1997 | 7 km SSW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2000 | 13 km SSW of Allanridge, South Africa | M4.9 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jul 31, 2001 | 8 km SW of Klerksdorp, South Africa | M4.9 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jun 15, 2014 | 8 km E of Orkney, South Africa | M4.9 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Jul 13, 1998 | 14 km ENE of Welkom, South Africa | M4.9 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Nov 25, 1995 | South Africa | M4.9 | 44 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 72°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| February | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 69°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 50°F (10°C) | 0.2 in | Coldest |
| July | 50°F (10°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 71°F (22°C) | 3.8 in |
Potchefstroom has a seasonal temperature swing of 23°F / from 50°F in June to 72°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 24.2 inches, with January being the wettest month (4.4") and July the driest (0.2").