Soweto weather in September
In September, Soweto sees average daytime highs of 24°C and overnight lows near 10°C, with 21 mm of rain across 3.4 wet days and about 11.8 hours of daylight. It is the 6th-warmest and 8th-wettest month of the year here.
Highs climb over the month, from about 23°C in the first days to 25°C by the end. The sky is clear or mostly clear about 72% of the time in September, and the air most often feels dry.
Daylight stretches from about 11 h 30 min at the start of September to 12 h 12 min by month's end. Set against the rest of the year, September is Soweto's 5th-clearest and 1st-windiest month. For the whole year in context, see Soweto's year-round climate.
- Daytime high
- 24°
- 6th warmest
- Overnight low
- 10°
- 5th coldest
- Rainfall
- 21 mm
- 3.4 wet days
- Daylight
- 11 h 48 min
- 6:07 AM – 5:58 PM
- Cloud cover
- 26%
- 5th clearest
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- 1st windiest
- Solar energy
- 6.08 kWh/m²
- Travel score
- 8.6
- out of 10
Soweto is township of South Africa.
- Density
- 8,475/km²
- people per km²
- Founded
- 1963
Air quality: WHO Ambient Air Quality Database. Density & description: Wikidata (CC0), GeoNames.
Temperature in September
Highs climb over the month, from about 23°C in the first days to 25°C by the end.
A typical September day in Soweto reaches about 24°C in the afternoon and slips back to 10°C overnight — a 14°C spread between the day's warmth and the night's chill. On most days the high lands between 19°C and 29°C. Set against its neighbours, September runs about 4°C warmer than August and about 1°C cooler than October.
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high (°C) | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Avg low (°C) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 23 | 9 |
| 2 | 23 | 9 |
| 3 | 23 | 9 |
| 4 | 23 | 9 |
| 5 | 24 | 9 |
| 6 | 24 | 9 |
| 7 | 24 | 10 |
| 8 | 24 | 10 |
| 9 | 24 | 10 |
| 10 | 24 | 10 |
| 11 | 24 | 10 |
| 12 | 24 | 10 |
| 13 | 24 | 10 |
| 14 | 25 | 10 |
| 15 | 25 | 11 |
| 16 | 25 | 11 |
| 17 | 25 | 11 |
| 18 | 25 | 11 |
| 19 | 25 | 11 |
| 20 | 25 | 11 |
| 21 | 25 | 11 |
| 22 | 25 | 11 |
| 23 | 25 | 11 |
| 24 | 25 | 11 |
| 25 | 25 | 11 |
| 26 | 25 | 12 |
| 27 | 25 | 12 |
| 28 | 25 | 12 |
| 29 | 25 | 12 |
| 30 | 25 | 12 |
Soweto weather by month
How September compares with the rest of the year at a glance. September is the 6th-warmest and 8th-wettest month here — the current month is highlighted below.
| Month | High / Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Wet days | Daylight (hours) | Travel score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26° / 16° | 132 | 16.9 | 13.5 | 5.8 |
| Feb | 26° / 16° | 117 | 14.2 | 12.9 | 6.1 |
| Mar | 24° / 14° | 90 | 12.8 | 12.2 | 6.7 |
| Apr | 22° / 11° | 45 | 7.4 | 11.4 | 7.4 |
| May | 20° / 7° | 18 | 3.1 | 10.7 | 8.1 |
| Jun | 18° / 4° | 8 | 1.4 | 10.4 | 7.9 |
| Jul | 18° / 4° | 3 | 0.8 | 10.5 | 8.0 |
| Aug | 21° / 7° | 10 | 1.9 | 11.1 | 8.5 |
| Sep | 24° / 10° | 21 | 3.4 | 11.8 | 8.6 |
| Oct | 25° / 13° | 73 | 10.4 | 12.6 | 7.1 |
| Nov | 26° / 14° | 99 | 13.9 | 13.3 | 6.2 |
| Dec | 26° / 15° | 141 | 18.5 | 13.6 | 5.6 |
Cloud cover in September
The sky is clear or mostly clear about 72% of the time in September.
Beyond those clear spells, partly cloudy skies cover about 13% of September, with mostly cloudy or overcast conditions the remaining 15%. Skies tend to cloud over 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearer (%) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 87 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 85 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 83 | 83 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 81 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 80 | 79 |
| Cloudier (%) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 |
| Clearer (%) | Cloudier (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90 | 10 |
| 2 | 90 | 10 |
| 3 | 90 | 10 |
| 4 | 89 | 11 |
| 5 | 89 | 11 |
| 6 | 89 | 11 |
| 7 | 89 | 11 |
| 8 | 88 | 12 |
| 9 | 88 | 12 |
| 10 | 88 | 12 |
| 11 | 88 | 12 |
| 12 | 87 | 13 |
| 13 | 86 | 14 |
| 14 | 86 | 14 |
| 15 | 86 | 14 |
| 16 | 85 | 15 |
| 17 | 84 | 16 |
| 18 | 84 | 16 |
| 19 | 84 | 16 |
| 20 | 83 | 17 |
| 21 | 83 | 17 |
| 22 | 82 | 18 |
| 23 | 82 | 18 |
| 24 | 82 | 18 |
| 25 | 81 | 19 |
| 26 | 81 | 19 |
| 27 | 81 | 19 |
| 28 | 80 | 20 |
| 29 | 80 | 20 |
| 30 | 79 | 21 |
Chance of precipitation in September
Soweto gets around 21 mm of rain over 3.4 wet days in September. The line is the day-by-day chance of measurable precipitation.
Day to day, the chance of measurable rain averages around 12% and peaks near 21% on the wettest days. The odds climb 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain chance (%) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 |
| Rain chance (%) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8 |
| 2 | 8 |
| 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 8 |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 9 |
| 7 | 9 |
| 8 | 9 |
| 9 | 9 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 11 | 10 |
| 12 | 10 |
| 13 | 11 |
| 14 | 11 |
| 15 | 11 |
| 16 | 11 |
| 17 | 12 |
| 18 | 12 |
| 19 | 12 |
| 20 | 13 |
| 21 | 13 |
| 22 | 14 |
| 23 | 15 |
| 24 | 15 |
| 25 | 16 |
| 26 | 17 |
| 27 | 18 |
| 28 | 19 |
| 29 | 19 |
| 30 | 21 |
Humidity in September
Most of September feels dry — the stacked bands show each day's mix of comfort levels, read off the dew point.
By dew point, September lands in the dry band about 100% 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (%) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 99 | 99 | 99 | 99 |
| Comfortable (%) | 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 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dry (%) | Comfortable (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | 0 |
| 2 | 100 | 0 |
| 3 | 100 | 0 |
| 4 | 100 | 0 |
| 5 | 100 | 0 |
| 6 | 100 | 0 |
| 7 | 100 | 0 |
| 8 | 100 | 0 |
| 9 | 100 | 0 |
| 10 | 100 | 0 |
| 11 | 100 | 0 |
| 12 | 100 | 0 |
| 13 | 100 | 0 |
| 14 | 100 | 0 |
| 15 | 100 | 0 |
| 16 | 100 | 0 |
| 17 | 100 | 0 |
| 18 | 100 | 0 |
| 19 | 100 | 0 |
| 20 | 100 | 0 |
| 21 | 100 | 0 |
| 22 | 100 | 0 |
| 23 | 100 | 0 |
| 24 | 100 | 0 |
| 25 | 100 | 0 |
| 26 | 100 | 0 |
| 27 | 99 | 1 |
| 28 | 99 | 1 |
| 29 | 99 | 1 |
| 30 | 99 | 1 |
Wind in September
Winds average 13 km/h in September, the windiest month of the year.
Across September, daily wind ranges from about 12 km/h on the calmest days to 13 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Feels | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze | light breeze |
| Wind speed (km/h) | Feels | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | light breeze |
| 2 | 12 | light breeze |
| 3 | 12 | light breeze |
| 4 | 12 | light breeze |
| 5 | 12 | light breeze |
| 6 | 12 | light breeze |
| 7 | 12 | light breeze |
| 8 | 12 | light breeze |
| 9 | 12 | light breeze |
| 10 | 12 | light breeze |
| 11 | 12 | light breeze |
| 12 | 12 | light breeze |
| 13 | 12 | light breeze |
| 14 | 12 | light breeze |
| 15 | 13 | light breeze |
| 16 | 13 | light breeze |
| 17 | 13 | light breeze |
| 18 | 13 | light breeze |
| 19 | 13 | light breeze |
| 20 | 13 | light breeze |
| 21 | 13 | light breeze |
| 22 | 13 | light breeze |
| 23 | 13 | light breeze |
| 24 | 13 | light breeze |
| 25 | 13 | light breeze |
| 26 | 13 | light breeze |
| 27 | 13 | light breeze |
| 28 | 13 | light breeze |
| 29 | 13 | light breeze |
| 30 | 13 | light breeze |
Sunrise & sunset in September
Daylight runs from about 11 h 30 min at the start of September to 12 h 12 min by month's end. The lit band spans sunrise to sunset each day.
Days grow by about 42 minutes over September. Sunrise moves from 6:25 AM to 5:51 AM, and sunset from 5:52 PM to 6:04 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 11.6 | 11.6 | 11.6 | 11.6 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.8 | 11.9 | 11.9 | 11.9 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 12.2 | 12.2 | 12.2 |
| Sunrise (AM) | 6:25 | 6:23 | 6:22 | 6:21 | 6:20 | 6:19 | 6:18 | 6:17 | 6:16 | 6:14 | 6:13 | 6:12 | 6:11 | 6:10 | 6:09 | 6:07 | 6:06 | 6:05 | 6:04 | 6:03 | 6:02 | 6:00 | 5:59 | 5:58 | 5:57 | 5:56 | 5:55 | 5:54 | 5:52 | 5:51 |
| Sunset (PM) | 5:52 | 5:52 | 5:53 | 5:53 | 5:54 | 5:54 | 5:55 | 5:55 | 5:55 | 5:56 | 5:56 | 5:57 | 5:57 | 5:57 | 5:58 | 5:58 | 5:59 | 5:59 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:00 | 6:01 | 6:01 | 6:02 | 6:02 | 6:03 | 6:03 | 6:04 | 6:04 | 6:04 |
| Daylight (h) | Sunrise (AM) | Sunset (PM) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11.5 | 6:25 | 5:52 |
| 2 | 11.5 | 6:23 | 5:52 |
| 3 | 11.5 | 6:22 | 5:53 |
| 4 | 11.5 | 6:21 | 5:53 |
| 5 | 11.6 | 6:20 | 5:54 |
| 6 | 11.6 | 6:19 | 5:54 |
| 7 | 11.6 | 6:18 | 5:55 |
| 8 | 11.6 | 6:17 | 5:55 |
| 9 | 11.7 | 6:16 | 5:55 |
| 10 | 11.7 | 6:14 | 5:56 |
| 11 | 11.7 | 6:13 | 5:56 |
| 12 | 11.7 | 6:12 | 5:57 |
| 13 | 11.8 | 6:11 | 5:57 |
| 14 | 11.8 | 6:10 | 5:57 |
| 15 | 11.8 | 6:09 | 5:58 |
| 16 | 11.8 | 6:07 | 5:58 |
| 17 | 11.9 | 6:06 | 5:59 |
| 18 | 11.9 | 6:05 | 5:59 |
| 19 | 11.9 | 6:04 | 6:00 |
| 20 | 12.0 | 6:03 | 6:00 |
| 21 | 12.0 | 6:02 | 6:00 |
| 22 | 12.0 | 6:00 | 6:01 |
| 23 | 12.0 | 5:59 | 6:01 |
| 24 | 12.1 | 5:58 | 6:02 |
| 25 | 12.1 | 5:57 | 6:02 |
| 26 | 12.1 | 5:56 | 6:03 |
| 27 | 12.1 | 5:55 | 6:03 |
| 28 | 12.2 | 5:54 | 6:04 |
| 29 | 12.2 | 5:52 | 6:04 |
| 30 | 12.2 | 5:51 | 6:04 |
Solar energy in September
Average shortwave solar energy reaching the ground each day in September, about 6.08 kWh/m².
For context, solar energy here swings from a low near 3.91 kWh/m² to a high of 6.88 kWh/m² in December across the year — September's 6.08 kWh/m² falls in the middle.
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar energy (kWh/m²) | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 6.4 |
| Level | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Bright | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense | Intense |
| Solar energy (kWh/m²) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.6 | Bright |
| 2 | 5.7 | Bright |
| 3 | 5.7 | Bright |
| 4 | 5.7 | Bright |
| 5 | 5.8 | Bright |
| 6 | 5.8 | Bright |
| 7 | 5.8 | Bright |
| 8 | 5.9 | Bright |
| 9 | 5.9 | Bright |
| 10 | 5.9 | Bright |
| 11 | 6.0 | Bright |
| 12 | 6.0 | Bright |
| 13 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 14 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 15 | 6.0 | Intense |
| 16 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 17 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 18 | 6.1 | Intense |
| 19 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 20 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 21 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 22 | 6.2 | Intense |
| 23 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 24 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 25 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 26 | 6.3 | Intense |
| 27 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 28 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 29 | 6.4 | Intense |
| 30 | 6.4 | Intense |
Hazard calendar for Soweto
None of Soweto's seasonal hazards are active in September. The full-year calendar below shows when the rainy season, cyclone risk and dust haze do peak.
Soweto's rainy season runs October–March, when most of the year's rain falls.
Is September a good time to visit Soweto?
Our two travel scores rate September for general sightseeing and for beach or pool weather — 0 (poor) to 10 (ideal).
September is one of the better times to visit Soweto for general sightseeing. The water and warmth also suit a beach or pool day.
What to pack for Soweto in September
From September's temperature range, rain chance, sun and wind — what's worth putting in the bag.
In September, Soweto sees daytime highs around 24°C and nights near 10°C. Pack sun protection. Worth having: light clothes. About 3 days see rain.
UV index in Soweto in September
Clear-sky midday UV in September peaks around 9 (very high — sun protection essential). The full-year curve, shaded by WHO exposure level, is below.
Under clear skies, the midday UV index in Soweto peaks around January 13 at about 14 (extreme) — sunscreen, a hat and midday shade are essential. It bottoms out near June 19 at about 5 (high).
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) | 15 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| Level | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme | Very high | High | High | High | Very high | Very high | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme |
| UV index (midday) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 | Extreme |
| Feb | 13 | Extreme |
| Mar | 12 | Extreme |
| Apr | 8 | Very high |
| May | 6 | High |
| Jun | 5 | High |
| Jul | 6 | High |
| Aug | 7 | Very high |
| Sep | 9 | Very high |
| Oct | 10 | Extreme |
| Nov | 12 | Extreme |
| Dec | 14 | Extreme |
Air quality in Soweto in September
Average fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) through the year — so you can see where September falls, not just the annual average.
Air quality in Soweto is worst in June — around 283 µg/m³ PM2.5 (very unhealthy), about 5.7× the cleanest month (January, 50 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) | 50 | 72 | 119 | 177 | 261 | 283 | 275 | 213 | 156 | 99 | 70 | 55 |
| Level | Poor | Unhealthy | Unhealthy | Very unhealthy | Very unhealthy | Very unhealthy | Very unhealthy | Very unhealthy | Very unhealthy | Unhealthy | Unhealthy | Poor |
| PM2.5 (µg/m³) | Level | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 50 | Poor |
| Feb | 72 | Unhealthy |
| Mar | 119 | Unhealthy |
| Apr | 177 | Very unhealthy |
| May | 261 | Very unhealthy |
| Jun | 283 | Very unhealthy |
| Jul | 275 | Very unhealthy |
| Aug | 213 | Very unhealthy |
| Sep | 156 | Very unhealthy |
| Oct | 99 | Unhealthy |
| Nov | 70 | Unhealthy |
| Dec | 55 | Poor |
Where is Soweto?
Soweto sits at 26.3°S, 27.9°E, 1,632 m above sea level, in South Africa. The nearest listed city is Roodepoort, 12 km away.
Topography around Soweto
How much the land rises and falls, and what covers it, within 3, 16 and 80 km of Soweto.
Within 3 km, the terrain around Soweto has only modest variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 110 m around an average of 1,604 m above sea level; within 16 km, significant variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 284 m; within 80 km, large variations in elevation — a maximum elevation change of 865 m.
The land around Soweto is covered by artificial surfaces (70%) and grassland (20%) within 3 km, grassland (44%) and artificial surfaces (36%) within 16 km, and grassland (56%) and cropland (22%) 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 Soweto (-26.2678°, 27.8585°, elevation 1,632 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. 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).