Free tools · Measured from space
Heat in City of Johannesburg
Summer 2025/26: the ground in City of Johannesburg reached about 34 °C on clear mornings. That is the ground (roofs, roads, soil), not the air. The 11th hottest of 13 summers since 2014.
Land surface temperature is how hot the ground itself is: roofs, roads, bare soil and leaves, as a satellite sees them from above. Landsat passes at about 10 in the morning and sees only through clear skies. It is not the air temperature a weather station gives: on a sunny day the ground is often 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the air, and hard, dark, dry surfaces heat up most while trees, grass and water stay cooler.
What it is not: not the afternoon peak, not the night, not the air you feel in the shade, and not a reading at any one house. A month with clouds rests on few clear looks.
Summer 2025/26
- 34.4 °CThe ground, not the airDecember to February, clear mornings
- 2018/19Hottest summer since 201439.8 °C; the coolest was 2021/22, 32.3 °C
Every summer since 1991
Show the numbers
| When or what | Figure |
|---|---|
| Summer 1990 to 91 | 32.4 °C |
| Summer 1991 to 92 | 34.8 °C |
| Summer 1995 to 96 | 27.5 °C |
| Summer 1997 to 98 | 33.7 °C |
| Summer 2000 to 01 | 32.8 °C |
| Summer 2001 to 02 | 33.3 °C |
| Summer 2002 to 03 | 32.1 °C |
| Summer 2006 to 07 | 35.9 °C |
| Summer 2011 to 12 | 34.3 °C |
| Summer 2012 to 13 | 30.4 °C |
| Summer 2013 to 14 | 35.4 °C |
| Summer 2014 to 15 | 35.1 °C |
| Summer 2015 to 16 | 38.5 °C |
| Summer 2016 to 17 | 35.7 °C |
| Summer 2017 to 18 | 35.5 °C |
| Summer 2018 to 19 | 39.8 °C |
| Summer 2019 to 20 | 37.3 °C |
| Summer 2020 to 21 | 34.9 °C |
| Summer 2021 to 22 | 32.3 °C |
| Summer 2022 to 23 | 33.1 °C |
| Summer 2023 to 24 | 36.7 °C |
| Summer 2024 to 25 | 39.3 °C |
| Summer 2025 to 26 | 34.4 °C |
The shape of a year
Show the numbers
| When or what | Figure |
|---|---|
| January | 35.9 °C |
| February | 34.1 °C |
| March | 31.0 °C |
| April | 26.1 °C |
| May | 22.2 °C |
| June | 18.4 °C |
| July | 19.0 °C |
| August | 25.8 °C |
| September | 32.4 °C |
| October | 36.6 °C |
| November | 36.8 °C |
| December | 37.4 °C |
Warmest and coolest wards
Each ward’s summers against City of Johannesburg’s average, since 2014. Where the ground is mostly roofs, roads and bare earth it reads hotter; where there are trees, grass, gardens or water it reads cooler.
Warmest
- Ward 107 (Alexandra)+5.6 °C
- Ward 116 (Alexandra)+5.4 °C
- Ward 75 (Kew, Alexandra)+4.4 °C
- Ward 76 (Alexandra, Kew)+4.2 °C
- Ward 108 (Alexandra, Marlboro)+3.7 °C
Coolest
Every ward
- Ward 107 (Alexandra)+5.6 °C
- Ward 116 (Alexandra)+5.4 °C
- Ward 75 (Kew, Alexandra)+4.4 °C
- Ward 76 (Alexandra, Kew)+4.2 °C
- Ward 108 (Alexandra, Marlboro)+3.7 °C
- Ward 15 (Senaoane)+2.7 °C
- Ward 47 (Mofolo North)+2.7 °C
- Ward 12 (Tshiawelo)+2.4 °C
- Ward 41 (Meadowlands East)+2.4 °C
- Ward 20 (Tladi, Naledi)+2.3 °C
- Ward 33 (Molapo, Moroka)+2.2 °C
- Ward 61 (Maboneng Precinct)+2.2 °C
- Ward 77 (Ivory Park, Maokeng)+2.2 °C
- Ward 133 (Ivory Park)+2.2 °C
- Ward 31 (Orlando East)+2.1 °C
- Ward 21 (Moletsane, Tladi)+2.0 °C
- Ward 22 (Pimville)+2.0 °C
- Ward 42 (Soweto, Meadowlands West)+2.0 °C
- Ward 40 (Orlando, Orlando West)+1.9 °C
- Ward 79 (Rabie Ridge, Ntshonalanga)+1.9 °C
- Ward 2 (Lakeside, Lakeside Estates)+1.8 °C
- Ward 43 (Meadowlands West, Meadowlands East)+1.8 °C
- Ward 45 (Soteba)+1.8 °C
- Ward 34 (Jabulani)+1.7 °C
- Ward 35 (Jabavu)+1.7 °C
- Ward 95 (Diepsloot)+1.7 °C
- Ward 131 (Evaton North, Stretford)+1.7 °C
- Ward 51 (Zola)+1.6 °C
- Ward 16 (Mapetla)+1.5 °C
- Ward 28 (Orlando Ekhaya)+1.5 °C
- Ward 46 (Jabulani, Dobsonville)+1.5 °C
- Ward 48 (Dobsonville)+1.5 °C
- Ward 124 (Johannesburg, Booysens)+1.5 °C
- Ward 78 (Ntshonalanga)+1.4 °C
- Ward 123 (Doornfontein, Jeppestown)+1.4 °C
- Ward 3 (Orange Farm, Stretford)+1.3 °C
- Ward 25 (Klipspruit)+1.3 °C
- Ward 58 (Crosby, Fordsburg)+1.3 °C
- Ward 135 (Protea Glen, West Rand AH)+1.3 °C
- Ward 36 (Mofolo)+1.2 °C
- Ward 105 (Alexandra, Eastgate)+1.2 °C
- Ward 111 (Rabie Ridge, Ivory Park)+1.2 °C
- Ward 1 (Stretford)+1.1 °C
- Ward 11 (Klipspruit-Wes)+1.1 °C
- Ward 30 (Orlando Ekhaya, Orlando East)+1.1 °C
- Ward 55 (Aspen Lakes, Chrisville)+1.1 °C
- Ward 57 (Elandspark, Electron)+1.1 °C
- Ward 113 (Diepsloot)+1.1 °C
- Ward 4 (Orange Farm)+1.0 °C
- Ward 82 (Bosmont, Claremont)+1.0 °C
- Ward 100 (Cosmo City)+1.0 °C
- Ward 27 (Aeroton, Diepkloof)+0.9 °C
- Ward 52 (Dobsonville Gardens, Emndeni)+0.9 °C
- Ward 59 (Johannesburg, Hillbrow)+0.9 °C
- Ward 60 (Braamfontein, Cottesloe)+0.9 °C
- Ward 96 (Broadacres AH, Lion Park Informal Settlement)+0.9 °C
- Ward 130 (Doornkop)+0.9 °C
- Ward 69 (Brixton, Coronationville)+0.8 °C
- Ward 80 (Rabie Ridge)+0.8 °C
- Ward 7 (Ennerdale, Finetown)+0.7 °C
- Ward 10 (Lenasia, Klipriviersoog)+0.7 °C
- Ward 65 (Denver, Rosherville)+0.7 °C
- Ward 18 (Nancefield)+0.6 °C
- Ward 26 (Power Park, Motsoaledi View)+0.6 °C
- Ward 56 (Gleneagles, Linmeyer)+0.6 °C
- Ward 134 (Northgate, Sundowner)+0.5 °C
- Ward 5 (Drieziek)+0.4 °C
- Ward 8 (Lehae, Lawley)+0.4 °C
- Ward 64 (Berea, Bertrams)+0.4 °C
- Ward 120 (Lenasia South)+0.4 °C
- Ward 19 (Dlamini)+0.3 °C
- Ward 38 (Dube)+0.3 °C
- Ward 39 (Orlando, Orlando West)+0.3 °C
- Ward 53 (Slovoville, Stesa AH)+0.3 °C
- Ward 101 (Meadowhurst, Noordhang)+0.3 °C
- Ward 115 (Bloubosrand, Cedar Lakes)+0.3 °C
- Ward 13 (Protea Glen)+0.2 °C
- Ward 93 (Magaliessig, Paulshof)+0.2 °C
- Ward 17 (Eldoradopark)+0.1 °C
- Ward 44 (Soteba, Dobsonville)+0.1 °C
- Ward 72 (Fairmount, Glenhazel)+0.1 °C
- Ward 84 (Roodepoort, Creswell Park)+0.1 °C
- Ward 112 (Blue Hills, Carlswald)+0.1 °C
- Ward 132 (Barbeque Downs, Megawatt Park)+0.1 °C
- Ward 6 (Althea AH, Ennerdale South)0.0 °C
- Ward 9 (Greyville)0.0 °C
- Ward 37 (Mofolo South)0.0 °C
- Ward 86 (Albertskroon, Albertville)0.0 °C
- Ward 14 (Protea North)−0.1 °C
- Ward 54 (Booysens Reserve, Crown Gardens)−0.1 °C
- Ward 66 (Bezuidenhoutsvallei, De Wetshof)−0.1 °C
- Ward 81 (Bramley Gardens, Kew)−0.1 °C
- Ward 29 (Noordgesig)−0.2 °C
- Ward 71 (Davidsonville, Groblerpark)−0.2 °C
- Ward 126 (Allen's Nek, Honeydew)−0.2 °C
- Ward 94 (Beaulieu, Fourways)−0.3 °C
- Ward 98 (Boskruin, Bromhof)−0.3 °C
- Ward 122 (Lehae, Vlakfontein)−0.3 °C
- Ward 106 (Johannesburg North, Kleve Hill Park)−0.4 °C
- Ward 121 (Hopefield, Lawley)−0.4 °C
- Ward 67 (Bellevue, Yeoville)−0.5 °C
- Ward 68 (Riverlea)−0.5 °C
- Ward 89 (Constantia Kloof, Floracliffe)−0.5 °C
- Ward 91 (Atholl Gardens, Illovo)−0.5 °C
- Ward 102 (Randburg, Bordeaux)−0.5 °C
- Ward 24 (Armadale, Devland)−0.6 °C
- Ward 32 (Antwerp, Buccleuch)−0.6 °C
- Ward 70 (Fleurhof, Florida)−0.6 °C
- Ward 109 (Eastgate, Gallo Manor)−0.6 °C
- Ward 114 (Northgate, Cosmo City)−0.6 °C
- Ward 110 (Midrand, Austin View)−0.7 °C
- Ward 129 (Thulani Park)−0.7 °C
- Ward 63 (Hillbrow)−0.8 °C
- Ward 85 (Carenvale, Florida Park)−0.8 °C
- Ward 92 (Halfway House, Randjespark)−0.8 °C
- Ward 104 (Beverley Gardens, Ferndale)−0.8 °C
- Ward 128 (Tshepisong)−0.8 °C
- Ward 23 (Bassonia, Glenanda)−0.9 °C
- Ward 99 (Aldara Park, Blairgowrie)−0.9 °C
- Ward 118 (Bruma, Cyrildene)−0.9 °C
- Ward 62 (Hillbrow, Berea)−1.0 °C
- Ward 83 (Breaunanda, Helderkruin)−1.0 °C
- Ward 50 (Thulani Park, Dobsonville Gardens)−1.2 °C
- Ward 97 (Radiokop, Eagle Canyon Golf Estate)−1.2 °C
- Ward 74 (Abbotsford, Birdhaven)−1.3 °C
- Ward 73 (Houghton Estate, Killarney)−1.4 °C
- Ward 127 (Wilfordon, Leratong Village)−1.4 °C
- Ward 49 (Leratong Village, Dobsonville)−1.5 °C
- Ward 119 (Devland, Naturena)−1.6 °C
- Ward 87 (Aukland Park, Forest Town)−1.7 °C
- Ward 103 (Sandton, Benmore Gardens)−1.7 °C
- Ward 117 (Rosebank, Parkhurst)−1.9 °C
- Ward 125 (Abmarie AH, Alan Manor)−1.9 °C
- Ward 88 (Berario, Blackheath)−2.0 °C
- Ward 90 (Craighall Park, Dunkeld)−2.0 °C
Places in each ward: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Month by month
| Month | Land surface temperature | Clear looks |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 38.7 °C | 3.3 |
| September 2026 | 29.8 °C | 1.5 |
| August 2026 | 23.4 °C | 3.2 |
| July 2026 | 19.5 °C | 3.1 |
| June 2026 | 19.0 °C | 2.2 |
| May 2026 | 20.1 °C | 2.4 |
| April 2026 | Seen too little | 0.2 |
| March 2026 | 29.9 °C | 1.0 |
| February 2026 | 33.9 °C | 2.2 |
| January 2026 | 35.1 °C | 2.1 |
| December 2025 | 34.0 °C | 1.1 |
| November 2025 | 35.0 °C | 1.9 |
| October 2025 | 30.6 °C | 0.9 |
| September 2025 | 32.3 °C | 2.8 |
| August 2025 | 23.6 °C | 2.7 |
| July 2025 | 18.2 °C | 2.1 |
| June 2025 | 19.0 °C | 1.9 |
| May 2025 | 20.2 °C | 3.5 |
| April 2025 | 23.4 °C | 1.4 |
| March 2025 | 30.3 °C | 0.4 |
| February 2025 | Seen too little | 0.2 |
| January 2025 | 35.6 °C | 1.6 |
| December 2024 | 43.0 °C | 1.8 |
| November 2024 | 41.7 °C | 2.2 |
“Clear looks” is how many times the average 240 m patch of the place was seen through clear sky that month. Under one, part of the place was not seen at all, so the figure leans on the part that was.
Every municipality, ranked · Everything we hold for City of Johannesburg
Source
Measured from space by the American Landsat satellites: the ground, not the air.
How we worked this out
Landsat 5 to 2011, Landsat 7 to bridge the gaps, Landsat 8 and 9 from 2013: different satellites pass at slightly different times, so compare summers within the same years first.
What we changed: we kept only the clear land cells (no cloud, cloud shadow, snow or water, with a margin round each cloud), read them at 480 m, and averaged them over each 2026 ward each month; larger places are the sums of their wards.
Landsat imagery courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey (Landsat Collection 2 surface temperature, through Digital Earth Africa’s copy).
Dataset: land surface temperature by ward, release of 13 November 2026.