Mthatha weather in May
In May, Mthatha sees average daytime highs of 22°C and overnight lows near 9°C, with 27 mm of rain across 5 wet days and about 10.4 hours of daylight. It is the 9th-warmest and 10th-wettest month of the year here.
Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 22°C through the month. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 59% of the time in May, and the air most often feels dry.
Daylight stretches from about 10 h 48 min at the start of May to 10 h 06 min by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, May is Mthatha's 4th-clearest and 10th-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Mthatha's year-round climate.
- Daytime high
- 22°
- 9th warmest
- Overnight low
- 9°
- 4th coldest
- Rainfall
- 27 mm
- 5 wet days
- Daylight
- 10 h 24 min
- 6:49 AM – 5:13 PM
- Cloud cover
- 37%
- 4th clearest
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- 10th windiest
- Solar energy
- 3.52 kWh/m²
- Travel score
- 7.8
- out of 10
Mthatha is town in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
- Density
- 2,999/km²
- people per km²
- Founded
- 1876
Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.
Temperature in May
Day-to-day highs hold fairly steady near 22°C through the month.
A typical May day in Mthatha reaches about 22°C in the afternoon and slips back to 9°C overnight — a 12°C spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 16°C and 27°C. Set against its neighbours, May runs about 1°C cooler than April and about 2°C warmer than June.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high (°C) | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Avg low (°C) | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 11 |
| 2 | 22 | 11 |
| 3 | 22 | 10 |
| 4 | 22 | 10 |
| 5 | 22 | 10 |
| 6 | 22 | 10 |
| 7 | 22 | 10 |
| 8 | 22 | 10 |
| 9 | 22 | 10 |
| 10 | 22 | 10 |
| 11 | 22 | 10 |
| 12 | 22 | 10 |
| 13 | 22 | 10 |
| 14 | 22 | 10 |
| 15 | 22 | 10 |
| 16 | 22 | 10 |
| 17 | 22 | 9 |
| 18 | 22 | 9 |
| 19 | 22 | 9 |
| 20 | 22 | 9 |
| 21 | 22 | 9 |
| 22 | 22 | 9 |
| 23 | 22 | 9 |
| 24 | 21 | 9 |
| 25 | 21 | 8 |
| 26 | 21 | 8 |
| 27 | 21 | 8 |
| 28 | 21 | 8 |
| 29 | 21 | 8 |
| 30 | 21 | 8 |
| 31 | 21 | 7 |
Mthatha weather by month
How May compares with the rest of the year at a glance. May is the 9th-warmest and 10th-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.
| Month | High / Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Wet days | Daylight (hours) | Travel score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25° / 16° | 145 | 18.8 | 13.8 | 5.3 |
| Feb | 26° / 16° | 131 | 15.9 | 13.2 | 5.5 |
| Mar | 25° / 15° | 120 | 16.2 | 12.2 | 6.0 |
| Apr | 23° / 12° | 76 | 9.9 | 11.2 | 6.9 |
| May | 22° / 9° | 27 | 5 | 10.4 | 7.8 |
| Jun | 20° / 6° | 24 | 3.3 | 10 | 7.9 |
| Jul | 20° / 6° | 22 | 3.2 | 10.1 | 7.9 |
| Aug | 21° / 8° | 32 | 5.5 | 10.8 | 7.7 |
| Sep | 23° / 10° | 56 | 8.4 | 11.8 | 7.1 |
| Oct | 23° / 11° | 96 | 14.9 | 12.8 | 6.0 |
| Nov | 23° / 13° | 129 | 16.4 | 13.6 | 5.7 |
| Dec | 24° / 14° | 140 | 18.5 | 14 | 5.5 |
Cloud cover in May
The sky is clear or mostly clear about 59% of the time in May.
Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 13% of May, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 28%. Skies tend to open up as the month goes on.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearer (%) | 67 | 67 | 67 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 78 |
| Cloudier (%) | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Clearer (%) | Cloudier (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 67 | 33 |
| 2 | 67 | 33 |
| 3 | 67 | 33 |
| 4 | 68 | 32 |
| 5 | 68 | 32 |
| 6 | 68 | 32 |
| 7 | 70 | 30 |
| 8 | 70 | 30 |
| 9 | 70 | 30 |
| 10 | 71 | 29 |
| 11 | 71 | 29 |
| 12 | 71 | 29 |
| 13 | 72 | 28 |
| 14 | 72 | 28 |
| 15 | 73 | 27 |
| 16 | 73 | 27 |
| 17 | 73 | 27 |
| 18 | 73 | 27 |
| 19 | 73 | 27 |
| 20 | 73 | 27 |
| 21 | 74 | 26 |
| 22 | 74 | 26 |
| 23 | 74 | 26 |
| 24 | 75 | 25 |
| 25 | 76 | 24 |
| 26 | 76 | 24 |
| 27 | 76 | 24 |
| 28 | 78 | 22 |
| 29 | 78 | 22 |
| 30 | 78 | 22 |
| 31 | 78 | 22 |
Chance of precipitation in May
Mthatha gets around 27 mm of rain over 5 wet days in May. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.
Day to day, the chance of measurable rain averages around 16% and peaks near 24% on the wettest days. The odds ease toward the end of the month.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain chance (%) | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Rain chance (%) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 24 |
| 2 | 23 |
| 3 | 22 |
| 4 | 22 |
| 5 | 21 |
| 6 | 21 |
| 7 | 20 |
| 8 | 20 |
| 9 | 19 |
| 10 | 18 |
| 11 | 18 |
| 12 | 17 |
| 13 | 16 |
| 14 | 16 |
| 15 | 15 |
| 16 | 15 |
| 17 | 15 |
| 18 | 14 |
| 19 | 14 |
| 20 | 14 |
| 21 | 14 |
| 22 | 13 |
| 23 | 13 |
| 24 | 13 |
| 25 | 12 |
| 26 | 12 |
| 27 | 12 |
| 28 | 12 |
| 29 | 12 |
| 30 | 12 |
| 31 | 12 |
Humidity in May
Most of May feels dry — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.
By dew point, May lands in the dry band about 95% of days. It rarely turns muggy — the humid and sticky bands barely register.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (%) | 84 | 85 | 87 | 88 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 94 | 95 | 95 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 97 | 97 | 97 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 98 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Comfortable (%) | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Humid (%) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dry (%) | Comfortable (%) | Humid (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84 | 15 | 1 |
| 2 | 85 | 14 | 1 |
| 3 | 87 | 12 | 1 |
| 4 | 88 | 11 | 1 |
| 5 | 90 | 10 | 0 |
| 6 | 91 | 9 | 0 |
| 7 | 92 | 8 | 0 |
| 8 | 92 | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | 93 | 7 | 0 |
| 10 | 94 | 6 | 0 |
| 11 | 94 | 6 | 0 |
| 12 | 95 | 5 | 0 |
| 13 | 95 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | 96 | 4 | 0 |
| 15 | 96 | 4 | 0 |
| 16 | 96 | 4 | 0 |
| 17 | 97 | 3 | 0 |
| 18 | 97 | 3 | 0 |
| 19 | 97 | 3 | 0 |
| 20 | 98 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | 98 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | 98 | 2 | 0 |
| 23 | 98 | 2 | 0 |
| 24 | 99 | 1 | 0 |
| 25 | 99 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | 99 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | 99 | 1 | 0 |
| 28 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
Wind in May
Winds average 8 km/h in May.
Across May, daily wind ranges from about 8 km/h on the calmest days to 9 km/h at its breeziest. It stays fairly steady from day to day.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Feels | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm | calm |
| Wind speed (km/h) | Feels | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | calm |
| 2 | 8 | calm |
| 3 | 8 | calm |
| 4 | 8 | calm |
| 5 | 8 | calm |
| 6 | 8 | calm |
| 7 | 8 | calm |
| 8 | 8 | calm |
| 9 | 8 | calm |
| 10 | 8 | calm |
| 11 | 8 | calm |
| 12 | 8 | calm |
| 13 | 8 | calm |
| 14 | 8 | calm |
| 15 | 8 | calm |
| 16 | 8 | calm |
| 17 | 8 | calm |
| 18 | 8 | calm |
| 19 | 8 | calm |
| 20 | 8 | calm |
| 21 | 8 | calm |
| 22 | 8 | calm |
| 23 | 8 | calm |
| 24 | 8 | calm |
| 25 | 8 | calm |
| 26 | 8 | calm |
| 27 | 8 | calm |
| 28 | 8 | calm |
| 29 | 9 | calm |
| 30 | 9 | calm |
| 31 | 9 | calm |
Sunrise & sunset in May
Daylight runs from about 10 h 48 min at the start of May to 10 h 06 min by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.
Days shrink by about 42 minutes over May. Sunrise moves from 6:39 AM to 6:59 AM, and sunset from 5:25 PM to 5:06 PM.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 10.8 | 10.8 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.6 | 10.6 | 10.6 | 10.6 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.2 | 10.1 | 10.1 | 10.1 |
| Sunrise (AM) | 6:39 | 6:39 | 6:40 | 6:41 | 6:41 | 6:42 | 6:43 | 6:44 | 6:44 | 6:45 | 6:46 | 6:46 | 6:47 | 6:48 | 6:49 | 6:49 | 6:50 | 6:51 | 6:51 | 6:52 | 6:53 | 6:53 | 6:54 | 6:55 | 6:55 | 6:56 | 6:57 | 6:57 | 6:58 | 6:58 | 6:59 |
| Sunset (PM) | 5:25 | 5:24 | 5:24 | 5:23 | 5:22 | 5:21 | 5:20 | 5:19 | 5:18 | 5:17 | 5:17 | 5:16 | 5:15 | 5:14 | 5:14 | 5:13 | 5:12 | 5:12 | 5:11 | 5:10 | 5:10 | 5:09 | 5:09 | 5:08 | 5:08 | 5:07 | 5:07 | 5:07 | 5:06 | 5:06 | 5:06 |
| Daylight (h) | Sunrise (AM) | Sunset (PM) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10.8 | 6:39 | 5:25 |
| 2 | 10.8 | 6:39 | 5:24 |
| 3 | 10.7 | 6:40 | 5:24 |
| 4 | 10.7 | 6:41 | 5:23 |
| 5 | 10.7 | 6:41 | 5:22 |
| 6 | 10.6 | 6:42 | 5:21 |
| 7 | 10.6 | 6:43 | 5:20 |
| 8 | 10.6 | 6:44 | 5:19 |
| 9 | 10.6 | 6:44 | 5:18 |
| 10 | 10.5 | 6:45 | 5:17 |
| 11 | 10.5 | 6:46 | 5:17 |
| 12 | 10.5 | 6:46 | 5:16 |
| 13 | 10.5 | 6:47 | 5:15 |
| 14 | 10.4 | 6:48 | 5:14 |
| 15 | 10.4 | 6:49 | 5:14 |
| 16 | 10.4 | 6:49 | 5:13 |
| 17 | 10.4 | 6:50 | 5:12 |
| 18 | 10.4 | 6:51 | 5:12 |
| 19 | 10.3 | 6:51 | 5:11 |
| 20 | 10.3 | 6:52 | 5:10 |
| 21 | 10.3 | 6:53 | 5:10 |
| 22 | 10.3 | 6:53 | 5:09 |
| 23 | 10.2 | 6:54 | 5:09 |
| 24 | 10.2 | 6:55 | 5:08 |
| 25 | 10.2 | 6:55 | 5:08 |
| 26 | 10.2 | 6:56 | 5:07 |
| 27 | 10.2 | 6:57 | 5:07 |
| 28 | 10.2 | 6:57 | 5:07 |
| 29 | 10.1 | 6:58 | 5:06 |
| 30 | 10.1 | 6:58 | 5:06 |
| 31 | 10.1 | 6:59 | 5:06 |
Solar energy in May
Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in May, about 3.52 kWh/m².
For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 3.14 kWh/m² to a high of 5.68 kWh/m² in December across the year — May's 3.52 kWh/m² sits near the bottom.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar energy (kWh/m²) | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Level | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Solar energy (kWh/m²) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.8 | Moderate |
| 2 | 3.8 | Moderate |
| 3 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 4 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 5 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 6 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 7 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 8 | 3.7 | Moderate |
| 9 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 10 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 11 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 12 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 13 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 14 | 3.6 | Moderate |
| 15 | 3.5 | Moderate |
| 16 | 3.5 | Moderate |
| 17 | 3.5 | Moderate |
| 18 | 3.5 | Moderate |
| 19 | 3.5 | Moderate |
| 20 | 3.5 | Moderate |
| 21 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 22 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 23 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 24 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 25 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 26 | 3.4 | Moderate |
| 27 | 3.3 | Moderate |
| 28 | 3.3 | Moderate |
| 29 | 3.3 | Moderate |
| 30 | 3.3 | Moderate |
| 31 | 3.3 | Moderate |
Hazard calendar for Mthatha
None of Mthatha's seasonal hazards are active in May. The full-year calendar below shows when the rainy season, cyclone risk and dust haze do peak.
Mthatha's rainy season runs October–April, when most of the year's rain falls.
Is May a good time to visit Mthatha?
Our two travel scores rate May for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).
May is one of the better times to visit Mthatha for general sightseeing.
What to pack for Mthatha in May
From May's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.
In May, Mthatha sees daytime highs around 22°C and nights near 9°C. Little to plan around — just the basics. About 5 days see rain.
Sea temperature near Mthatha in May
The nearest coast averages about 24°C in May — the other half of the beach question. The full-year curve and swim-comfort zones are below.
The sea at the nearest coast (about 64 km away) is warmest in February at about 26°C and coldest in August near 21°C.
The water stays above 20°C all year — warm enough for a swim any month.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature (°C) | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Comfort | Warm | Warm | Warm | Warm | Refreshing | Refreshing | Refreshing | Refreshing | Refreshing | Refreshing | Refreshing | Warm |
| Sea temperature (°C) | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25 | Warm |
| Feb | 26 | Warm |
| Mar | 26 | Warm |
| Apr | 25 | Warm |
| May | 24 | Refreshing |
| Jun | 23 | Refreshing |
| Jul | 22 | Refreshing |
| Aug | 21 | Refreshing |
| Sep | 21 | Refreshing |
| Oct | 22 | Refreshing |
| Nov | 23 | Refreshing |
| Dec | 24 | Warm |
UV index in Mthatha in May
Clear-sky midday UV in May peaks around 5 — enough to warrant sun protection. The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.
Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Mthatha peaks around January 15 at about 14 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near June 22 at about 4 (moderate).
The index reaches 3 or more — the level where the WHO recommends sun protection — every month of the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV index (midday) | 14 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 11 | 13 |
| Level | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | High | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | High | High | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme |
| UV index (midday) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14 | Extreme |
| Feb | 12 | Extreme |
| Mar | 10 | Extreme |
| Apr | 7 | High |
| May | 5 | Moderate |
| Jun | 4 | Moderate |
| Jul | 4 | Moderate |
| Aug | 5 | High |
| Sep | 6 | High |
| Oct | 11 | Extreme |
| Nov | 11 | Extreme |
| Dec | 13 | Extreme |
Air quality in Mthatha in May
Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where May falls, not just the annual average.
Air quality in Mthatha is worst in August — around 34 µg/m³ PM2.5 (moderate), about 4.1× the cleanest month (December, 8 µg/m³).
Modeled monthly averages (CAMS reanalysis, 2015–2024).
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (µg/m³) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 34 | 24 | 16 | 13 | 8 |
| Level | Good | Good | Good | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Good |
| PM2.5 (µg/m³) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 | Good |
| Feb | 10 | Good |
| Mar | 12 | Good |
| Apr | 14 | Moderate |
| May | 17 | Moderate |
| Jun | 20 | Moderate |
| Jul | 25 | Moderate |
| Aug | 34 | Moderate |
| Sep | 24 | Moderate |
| Oct | 16 | Moderate |
| Nov | 13 | Moderate |
| Dec | 8 | Good |
Where is Mthatha?
Mthatha sits at 31.6°S, 28.8°E, 694 m above sea level, in South Africa. The nearest listed city is Ugie, 68 km away.
Topography around Mthatha
How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 3, 16 and 80 km of Mthatha.
Within 3 km, the terrain around Mthatha has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 164 m around an average of 706 m above sea level; within 16 km, large variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 688 m; within 80 km, very significant variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 2,012 m.
The land around Mthatha is covered by artificial surfaces (41%) and grassland (35%) within 3 km, grassland (55%) and cropland (30%) within 16 km, and grassland (52%) and trees (21%) within 80 km.
South Africa travel facts
- Travel advisory
- Level 2
- Exercise Increased Caution
- Power plugs
- Type C / M / N
- 230 V · 50 Hz
- Prices
- ≈ 41% of US
- price level, 2025
- GDP per capita
- $6,598
- 2025
- Happiness
- 5.0 / 10
- World Happiness, 2025
- Safe drinking water
- 68%
- of population, 2024
- Homicide rate
- 43.7
- per 100k, 2022
- Road deaths
- 22.2
- per 100k/yr, 2019
- Income group
- Upper middle
- World Bank
- English
- Very high
- EF EPI 602
- Religion
Sources: World Bank, US State Department, World Happiness Report, WHO/UNICEF, EF EPI, CIA World Factbook.
Data sources
Temperature, precipitation, cloud, humidity, wind and solar figures are a 1991–2020 climatology for Mthatha (-31.5889°, 28.7844°, elevation 694 m), computed from hourly ERA5 reanalysis — contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Sun figures are astronomical calculations, not observations. City data © GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Map outlines from Natural Earth (public domain); interactive map © Google. Sea temperatures are the NOAA OISST v2.1 1991–2020 monthly climatology (public domain), sampled at the nearest ocean point. UV index is derived from CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) clear-sky UV data — contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Monthly air-quality (PM2.5) seasonality is from the CAMS EAC4 reanalysis (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service), scaled to the WHO annual mean where available. Topography is sampled from the Copernicus DEM GLO-90 elevation model (© ESA/Airbus) and ESA WorldCover 2021 land cover (CC BY 4.0).