Cape Town records driest July in 68 years as rainfall drops to 14.4 mm

Cape Town recorded its lowest July rainfall since 1958, with only 14.4 mm measured at Cape Town International Airport.

The total broke the previous July low of 18.0 mm recorded in 1987 and amounted to about 16% of the airport’s historical July average.

According to the South African Weather Service, a persistent high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean pushed cold fronts away from the south-western coast.

Cape Town’s July rainfall totals

Rainfall remained well below usual July levels at several monitoring stations.

• Cape Town International Airport: 14.4 mm, its lowest July total in 68 years
• SA Observatory: 15.6 mm, its lowest July total in 91 years
• Kirstenbosch: 65.0 mm, its lowest July total in 29 years

Only three weak cold fronts made landfall during July.

Cape Town dam levels reach 78.4%

Cape Town’s six major water supply dams were at a combined 78.4% of full capacity in late July and early August 2026.

While the overall storage level appears stable, water experts warned that the figure could create a “false sense of security”.

The current water volume largely reflects heavy autumn flooding in May rather than consistent winter rainfall.

The City of Cape Town said dam levels had increased more slowly than expected because of the low July rainfall.

Current levels at Cape Town’s major dams

Water storage levels vary across the six dams forming part of the Western Cape Water Supply System:

• Wemmershoek Dam: 100%, up from 84.0% in 2025
• Steenbras Upper Dam: 100%, down from 102% in 2025
• Berg River Dam: 90%, down from 100% in 2025
• Theewaterskloof Dam: 79%, unchanged from 79% in 2025
• Voëlvlei Dam: 62%, down from 84% in 2025
• Steenbras Lower Dam: 54%, down from 77.1% in 2025

Western Cape dam levels remain varied

The average level across all monitored Western Cape reservoirs stands at 79.5%.

Dams outside the Cape Town supply network remain stronger, particularly in the Garden Route.

Wolwedans, Koos Raubenheimer and Haarlem dams have each reported levels above 100% capacity.

Residents urged to conserve water

No formal water restrictions are currently in place in Cape Town.

Authorities and the South African Weather Service have still urged residents to conserve water.

There are also concerns about possible strain on winter crops and a predicted warm, dry El Niño summer.

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