Rate the Climate: Durban, South Africa (averages, temperatures, nights, storms)

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by ADGreen

I think it is around 2,600 hrs/year but cannot substantiate with any reliable data so perhaps someone else can...

If it was around 2,600 and based on the range, would give it a B+ (or even A-). More sunshine would firmly entrench it in the A range.

Ditto.

More sun, more summer heat and just a touch warmer winters would be perfect.

[Trimac20]

Shows that people are never satisfied, lol. In terms of comfort I challenge you to find a climate much more pleasant.

[Derek40]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Shows that people are never satisfied, lol. In terms of comfort I challenge you to find a climate much more pleasant.

Yes people are hard to please, I don't rate this as highly as others, although it still gets a "B".
RWood mentioned sunshine hours, in some ways less sunshine when you are dealing with a strong subtropical sun is not such a bad thing.
Yearly sunshine hours are about 2350

Durban Climate, Temperature, Average Weather History, Rainfall/ Precipitation, Sunshine

Durban is often mentioned in the same breath as San Diego and the like, even Coffs Harbour in NSW, as having a flawless and equable climate.
I have known a small number of people that have been there, and all complained about excessive humidity during summer - so it can never rate an A for me.
Also I look at the yearly means, 17-25C in this case, that is a high average minimum by most standards, that is not great sleeping weather.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Shows that people are never satisfied, lol.

I would be very happy to live in Durban.
It isn't my idea of perfection, but it's pretty close.

In terms of comfort I challenge you to find a climate much more pleasant.

I love coastal Jamaican weather.

winter highs = 28-31 C (82-87 F)
winter lows = 20-23 C (68-74 F)
summer highs = 32-34 C (90-93 F)
summer lows = 25-27 C (77-80 F)

Jamaica is probably slightly sunnier year round.
Practically every month has 8-9 hrs of daily avg sun.

More pleasant for people who don't mind some sweat, but want to avoid brutal heat, cool afternoons and very chilly nights.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by Derek40

Yes people are hard to please, I don't rate this as highly as others, although it still gets a "B".
RWood mentioned sunshine hours, in some ways less sunshine when you are dealing with a strong subtropical sun is not such a bad thing.
Yearly sunshine hours are about 2350

Durban Climate, Temperature, Average Weather History, Rainfall/ Precipitation, Sunshine

Durban is often mentioned in the same breath as San Diego and the like, even Coffs Harbour in NSW, as having a flawless and equable climate.
I have known a small number of people that have been there, and all complained about excessive humidity during summer - so it can never rate an A for me.
Also I look at the yearly means, 17-25C in this case, that is a high average minimum by most standards, that is not great sleeping weather.

2350 is cloudier than I expected. Brisbane seems to be a rough match for Durban, although it's quite alot sunny (almost as sunny as Perth). You're right about the warm nights - 21C nights are a bit warm for many people.

Actually Nairobi would be more ideal for me than Durban, in terms of just a pleasant, comfortable climate.

[Stoney63]

I would give it a B. I do like a dormant period during winter, but I could live here no worries.

[RWood]

I rate Gran Canaria the best climate posted so far. Dry enough to satisy my arid/semi-arid preferences, good sunshine, no extremes of temperature.

[ChesterNZ]

Durban is one of my all time favorite climates (temperature-wise), but it seems to be surprisingly cloudy.

[damo1995]

4 for me.

Spent a week in Durban way back in March 1996. Unfortunately we had 4 of the 7 days with torrential rain but the other 3 days were beautiful.

Temperature wise this climate is awesome but the high humidity and high rainfall is the downside.

[Icebreaker]

4 but almost a 5.

Summers are awesome albeit a bit humid, winters are a little too warm, sunshine and rainfall totals also pretty good.