Johannesburg in December

March through May delivers Jo'burg at its finest. The summer rains have washed the highveld clean, temperatures hover around a perfect 20°C, and the jacaranda trees paint Pretoria purple in October - though that's technically spring. Winter (June to August) means crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. You'll need a jacket for those 5°C dawns, but by lunch you're back in t-shirts. This is prime time for outdoor activities and clear skies that stretch to Magaliesberg. September through November brings the spring rush. Temperatures climb steadily, afternoon thunderstorms build drama in the sky, and the whole city seems to wake up from winter hibernation. Avoid December and January unless you enjoy afternoon thunderstorms that can flood streets in minutes. The heat builds to uncomfortable levels, and half the city disappears to the coast for holidays. But if you're here for New Year's, the energy is electric.