Summer temperature anomalies in South Africa

South Africa: Summer temperature anomalies was 1.36 °C in 2026. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2026)
1.36 °C
Change on year
up 1,288.2%
World rank
50th
of 193 countries
All-time high
1.46 °C
in 2021
All-time low
-3.27 °C
in 1968
Years of data
87
1940–2026

Summer temperature anomalies in South Africa, 1940–2026

-3-2-101194019832026

Source: Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in °C.

Analysis

In 2026, summer temperature anomalies in South Africa stood at 1.36 °C.

The figure is up 1,288.2% on the previous year and up 6.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, summer temperature anomalies in South Africa peaked at 1.46 °C in 2021 and was at its lowest, -3.27 °C, in 1968.

That places South Africa 50th out of 193 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1940s -0.3437 °C -1.64 °C 0.6999 °C 10
1950s -0.6122 °C -1.59 °C 0.6606 °C 10
1960s -1.09 °C -3.27 °C 0.7273 °C 10
1970s -0.514 °C -1.36 °C 0.5673 °C 10
1980s -0.434 °C -1.19 °C 0.3002 °C 10
1990s -0.3829 °C -1.1 °C 0.7071 °C 10
2000s -0.0193 °C -1.01 °C 0.6546 °C 10
2010s 0.2827 °C -1.14 °C 1.33 °C 10
2020s 0.7221 °C -0.1149 °C 1.46 °C 7

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 47 Honduras 1.4 °C compare
  2. 48 Romania 1.39 °C compare
  3. 49 El Salvador 1.37 °C compare
  4. 51 North Macedonia 1.34 °C compare
  5. 53 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 1.29 °C compare

See the full ranking of 193 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is summer temperature anomalies in South Africa?
Summer temperature anomalies in South Africa was 1.36 °C in 2026, according to Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest summer temperature anomalies recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 1.46 °C in 2021.
What is the lowest summer temperature anomalies recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was -3.27 °C in 1968.
How does South Africa rank for summer temperature anomalies?
South Africa ranks 50th out of 193 countries with data for 2026.
Is summer temperature anomalies rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
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 Summer temperature anomalies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 87 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Summer temperature anomalies
Unit
°C
Source
Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
193 places, 16,791 data points, 1940–2026
Last refreshed

The difference in a specific month's average surface temperature from the mean temperature of the same month during the period 1991-2020, measured in degrees Celsius.