Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa
South Africa: Decadal average surface temperature was 18.25 °C in 2010. ▲ Rising
Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa, 1940–2010
Source: Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in °C.
Analysis
The most recent figure for decadal average surface temperature in South Africa is 18.25 °C, measured in 2010. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 2.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, decadal average surface temperature in South Africa peaked at 18.25 °C in 2010 and was at its lowest, 17.12 °C, in 1970.
That places South Africa 123rd out of 193 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 17.13 °C | 17.13 °C | 17.13 °C | 1 |
| 1950s | 17.19 °C | 17.19 °C | 17.19 °C | 1 |
| 1960s | 17.21 °C | 17.21 °C | 17.21 °C | 1 |
| 1970s | 17.12 °C | 17.12 °C | 17.12 °C | 1 |
| 1980s | 17.59 °C | 17.59 °C | 17.59 °C | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.64 °C | 17.64 °C | 17.64 °C | 1 |
| 2000s | 17.78 °C | 17.78 °C | 17.78 °C | 1 |
| 2010s | 18.25 °C | 18.25 °C | 18.25 °C | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is decadal average surface temperature in South Africa?
- Decadal average surface temperature in South Africa was 18.25 °C in 2010, according to Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest decadal average surface temperature recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18.25 °C in 2010.
- What is the lowest decadal average surface temperature recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.12 °C in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for decadal average surface temperature?
- South Africa ranks 123rd out of 193 countries with data for 2010.
- Is decadal average surface temperature rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Decadal average surface temperature. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 8 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The temperature of the air measured 2 meters above the ground, encompassing land, sea, and in-land water surfaces.