Built 2026-10-17 (17 October 2026)

Royal Observatory Weather Records (SF000208660)

Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Royal Observatory (SF000208660), South Africa, with 148 years of record.

Key Facts for Royal Observatory

  • Royal Observatory (SF000208660) is a weather station in South Africa at -33.93 latitude and 18.48 longitude, 40 m (131 ft) above sea level.
  • The station reports from 1850 to 1997, 148 years of record.
  • 0 records set at Royal Observatory still stand.
  • Records are tracked for prcp: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
  • Royal Observatory set a daily record precipitation of 18.8 mm (0.7 in) on 19 November 1996.

About the Station

  • Location: South Africa, -33.93 latitude, 18.48 longitude.
  • Elevation: 40 m (131 ft).
  • Period of record: 1850 to 1997, 148 years.
  • Eligible elements: prcp.

Daily Record Envelope and 2026

0 days at or beyond a record
Daily record high and record low at Royal Observatory, with 2026 drawn through them The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Royal Observatory. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius. 000111 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Royal Observatory. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Royal Observatory, with 2026 drawn through them
MonthHighest record highLowest record low2026 highest maximum2026 lowest minimum
Jann/an/an/an/a
Febn/an/an/an/a
Marn/an/an/an/a
Aprn/an/an/an/a
Mayn/an/an/an/a
Junn/an/an/an/a
Juln/an/an/an/a
Augn/an/an/an/a
Sepn/an/an/an/a
Octn/an/an/an/a
Novn/an/an/an/a
Decn/an/an/an/a

Which Years Hold Standing Records

0 standing records
Standing records at Royal Observatory by the year they were set 0 records at Royal Observatory still stand. 00000000000
0 records at Royal Observatory still stand.
Standing records at Royal Observatory by the year they were set
Year setStanding records

All-Time Record Progression

2 new records
When Royal Observatory set new all-time records 2 all-time records were set at Royal Observatory between 3 July 1891 and 27 October 1902. Each dot is a new record. Record daily precipitation3 July 1891: Record daily precipitation 85.3 mm (3.4 in)27 October 1902: Record daily precipitation 99.0 mm (3.9 in)18951900
2 all-time records were set at Royal Observatory between 3 July 1891 and 27 October 1902. Each dot is a new record.
When Royal Observatory set new all-time records
DateKindDetail
1891-07-03Record daily precipitationRecord daily precipitation 85.3 mm (3.4 in)
1902-10-27Record daily precipitationRecord daily precipitation 99.0 mm (3.9 in)

Wettest Day of Each Month

Oct: 99.0 mm (3.9 in)
Record daily precipitation for each month at Royal Observatory The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Royal Observatory. The most was 99.0 mm (3.9 in) on 27 October 1902. 0255075100 Jan: 63.0 mm (2.5 in), 16 January 1963 Jan Feb: 57.9 mm (2.3 in), 2 February 1866 Feb Mar: 90.3 mm (3.6 in), 11 March 1976 Mar Apr: 71.1 mm (2.8 in), 18 April 1951 Apr May: 96.5 mm (3.8 in), 19 May 1911 May Jun: 85.5 mm (3.4 in), 7 June 1968 Jun Jul: 85.3 mm (3.4 in), 3 July 1891 Jul Aug: 67.3 mm (2.6 in), 18 August 1872 Aug Sep: 51.0 mm (2.0 in), 5 September 1971 Sep Oct: 99.0 mm (3.9 in), 27 October 1902 Oct Nov: 49.0 mm (1.9 in), 13 November 1923 Nov Dec: 51.8 mm (2.0 in), 24 December 1875 Dec
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Royal Observatory. The most was 99.0 mm (3.9 in) on 27 October 1902.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Royal Observatory
MonthRecord daily precipitation (mm)Date
Jan63.0 mm (2.5 in)16 January 1963
Feb57.9 mm (2.3 in)2 February 1866
Mar90.3 mm (3.6 in)11 March 1976
Apr71.1 mm (2.8 in)18 April 1951
May96.5 mm (3.8 in)19 May 1911
Jun85.5 mm (3.4 in)7 June 1968
Jul85.3 mm (3.4 in)3 July 1891
Aug67.3 mm (2.6 in)18 August 1872
Sep51.0 mm (2.0 in)5 September 1971
Oct99.0 mm (3.9 in)27 October 1902
Nov49.0 mm (1.9 in)13 November 1923
Dec51.8 mm (2.0 in)24 December 1875

Latest Records

20
Latest records at Royal Observatory
DateStationRecordValueBeat old record byOld record stoodSignificance
19 November 1996Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain18.8 mm (0.7 in)6.8 mm (0.27 in)145 years20 of 100 (Routine)
24 September 1996Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain27.1 mm (1.1 in)6.5 mm (0.26 in)84 years45 of 100 (Notable)
12 August 1996Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain26.3 mm (1.0 in)0.3 mm (0.01 in)16 years14 of 100 (Routine)
30 May 1996Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain31.5 mm (1.2 in)2.4 mm (0.09 in)39 years23 of 100 (Routine)
22 February 1996Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain4.9 mm (0.19 in)2.2 mm (0.09 in)108 years20 of 100 (Routine)
12 February 1996Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain21.0 mm (0.8 in)4.2 mm (0.17 in)97 years20 of 100 (Routine)
31 January 1995Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain34.5 mm (1.4 in)19.7 mm (0.8 in)20 years49 of 100 (Notable)
20 October 1994Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain16.3 mm (0.6 in)3.4 mm (0.13 in)60 years20 of 100 (Routine)
12 January 1994Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain14.5 mm (0.6 in)0.8 mm (0.03 in)56 years20 of 100 (Routine)
2 May 1993Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain56.0 mm (2.2 in)28.6 mm (1.1 in)131 years69 of 100 (Major)
14 February 1993Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain36.4 mm (1.4 in)16.1 mm (0.6 in)107 years67 of 100 (Major)
20 February 1990Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain18.6 mm (0.7 in)6.1 mm (0.24 in)12 years20 of 100 (Routine)
15 February 1990Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain32.0 mm (1.3 in)17.8 mm (0.7 in)92 years67 of 100 (Major)
30 January 1990Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain31.0 mm (1.2 in)15.4 mm (0.6 in)139 years66 of 100 (Major)
17 November 1989Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain32.6 mm (1.3 in)9.7 mm (0.38 in)23 years33 of 100 (Routine)
8 October 1989Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain28.0 mm (1.1 in)9.5 mm (0.37 in)104 years53 of 100 (Notable)
10 May 1989Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain28.1 mm (1.1 in)2.2 mm (0.09 in)52 years27 of 100 (Routine)
29 March 1989Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain34.5 mm (1.4 in)15.4 mm (0.6 in)80 years55 of 100 (Notable)
13 March 1989Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain19.0 mm (0.7 in)8.1 mm (0.32 in)4 years20 of 100 (Routine)
1 March 1989Royal Observatory, ZAdaily rain15.0 mm (0.6 in)6.7 mm (0.26 in)8 years20 of 100 (Routine)

Extremes by Year

1850 to 1997
Yearly extremes at Royal Observatory: the record and the median year
MeasureRecordYear of the recordMedian yearYears with a value
Wettest day (Rx1day)99.0 mm (3.9 in)190241.2 mm (1.6 in)146
Wettest five days (Rx5day)154.0 mm (6.1 in)190569.7 mm (2.7 in)146
Longest dry spell (CDD)74 days191533 days146

Wettest day (Rx1day)

Wettest day (Rx1day) at Royal Observatory by year The wettest day of the year at Royal Observatory, 1850 to 1997. The record is 99.0 mm (3.9 in) in 1902, marked on the chart; the median year is 41.2 mm (1.6 in). 02550751001860188019001920194019601980Record: 99.0 mm (3.9 in) in 1902
The wettest day of the year at Royal Observatory, 1850 to 1997. The record is 99.0 mm (3.9 in) in 1902, marked on the chart; the median year is 41.2 mm (1.6 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Royal Observatory by year
YearWettest day (Rx1day)
185042.2 mm (1.7 in)
185173.2 mm (2.9 in)
185260.7 mm (2.4 in)
185339.4 mm (1.6 in)
185426.4 mm (1.0 in)
185541.2 mm (1.6 in)
185652.1 mm (2.1 in)
185735.1 mm (1.4 in)
185848.0 mm (1.9 in)
185952.5 mm (2.1 in)
186071.6 mm (2.8 in)
186155.4 mm (2.2 in)
186242.2 mm (1.7 in)
186341.9 mm (1.6 in)
186439.6 mm (1.6 in)
186548.2 mm (1.9 in)
186657.9 mm (2.3 in)
186727.4 mm (1.1 in)
186840.9 mm (1.6 in)
186945.9 mm (1.8 in)
187050.8 mm (2.0 in)
187130.2 mm (1.2 in)
187267.3 mm (2.6 in)
187334.3 mm (1.4 in)
187432.0 mm (1.3 in)
187551.8 mm (2.0 in)
187658.7 mm (2.3 in)
187743.7 mm (1.7 in)
187810.2 mm (0.4 in)
187932.3 mm (1.3 in)
188034.3 mm (1.4 in)
188157.4 mm (2.3 in)
188248.8 mm (1.9 in)
188330.5 mm (1.2 in)
188441.4 mm (1.6 in)
188534.0 mm (1.3 in)
188645.5 mm (1.8 in)
188740.4 mm (1.6 in)
188841.1 mm (1.6 in)
188946.2 mm (1.8 in)
189036.6 mm (1.4 in)
189185.3 mm (3.4 in)
189251.3 mm (2.0 in)
189365.3 mm (2.6 in)
189431.2 mm (1.2 in)
189549.5 mm (1.9 in)
189633.3 mm (1.3 in)
189754.6 mm (2.1 in)
189842.9 mm (1.7 in)
189947.5 mm (1.9 in)
190052.8 mm (2.1 in)
190155.6 mm (2.2 in)
190299.0 mm (3.9 in)
190348.8 mm (1.9 in)
190434.5 mm (1.4 in)
190565.5 mm (2.6 in)
190636.1 mm (1.4 in)
190727.4 mm (1.1 in)
190885.3 mm (3.4 in)
190946.3 mm (1.8 in)
191029.2 mm (1.1 in)
191196.5 mm (3.8 in)
191234.5 mm (1.4 in)
191337.1 mm (1.5 in)
191437.8 mm (1.5 in)
191546.5 mm (1.8 in)
191630.0 mm (1.2 in)
191780.0 mm (3.1 in)
191829.0 mm (1.1 in)
191930.0 mm (1.2 in)
192047.0 mm (1.9 in)
192132.3 mm (1.3 in)
192223.4 mm (0.9 in)
192349.0 mm (1.9 in)
192430.2 mm (1.2 in)
192550.3 mm (2.0 in)
192629.7 mm (1.2 in)
192730.2 mm (1.2 in)
192816.9 mm (0.7 in)
192933.3 mm (1.3 in)
193023.4 mm (0.9 in)
193132.3 mm (1.3 in)
193235.0 mm (1.4 in)
193321.0 mm (0.8 in)
193433.8 mm (1.3 in)
193538.5 mm (1.5 in)
193638.2 mm (1.5 in)
193774.7 mm (2.9 in)
193849.0 mm (1.9 in)
193943.2 mm (1.7 in)
194041.7 mm (1.6 in)
194141.9 mm (1.6 in)
194277.0 mm (3.0 in)
194334.0 mm (1.3 in)
194444.7 mm (1.8 in)
194547.7 mm (1.9 in)
194634.3 mm (1.4 in)
194733.3 mm (1.3 in)
194827.2 mm (1.1 in)
194927.2 mm (1.1 in)
195042.2 mm (1.7 in)
195171.1 mm (2.8 in)
195238.1 mm (1.5 in)
195332.6 mm (1.3 in)
195457.2 mm (2.3 in)
195533.5 mm (1.3 in)
195653.8 mm (2.1 in)
195748.3 mm (1.9 in)
195838.5 mm (1.5 in)
195956.0 mm (2.2 in)
196027.5 mm (1.1 in)
196138.8 mm (1.5 in)
196248.4 mm (1.9 in)
196363.0 mm (2.5 in)
196436.9 mm (1.5 in)
196525.4 mm (1.0 in)
196633.0 mm (1.3 in)
196730.0 mm (1.2 in)
196885.5 mm (3.4 in)
196930.4 mm (1.2 in)
197046.0 mm (1.8 in)
197151.0 mm (2.0 in)
197224.7 mm (1.0 in)
197332.7 mm (1.3 in)
197466.9 mm (2.6 in)
197560.5 mm (2.4 in)
197690.3 mm (3.6 in)
197756.0 mm (2.2 in)
197827.1 mm (1.1 in)
197932.0 mm (1.3 in)
198052.5 mm (2.1 in)
198142.0 mm (1.7 in)
198244.5 mm (1.8 in)
198353.6 mm (2.1 in)
198433.6 mm (1.3 in)
198550.0 mm (2.0 in)
198636.5 mm (1.4 in)
198934.5 mm (1.4 in)
199033.0 mm (1.3 in)
199132.6 mm (1.3 in)
199233.0 mm (1.3 in)
199356.0 mm (2.2 in)
199428.9 mm (1.1 in)
199534.5 mm (1.4 in)
199631.5 mm (1.2 in)
199725.5 mm (1.0 in)

Wettest five days (Rx5day)

Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Royal Observatory by year The wettest five days of the year at Royal Observatory, 1850 to 1997. The record is 154.0 mm (6.1 in) in 1905, marked on the chart; the median year is 69.7 mm (2.7 in). 0501001502001860188019001920194019601980Record: 154.0 mm (6.1 in) in 1905
The wettest five days of the year at Royal Observatory, 1850 to 1997. The record is 154.0 mm (6.1 in) in 1905, marked on the chart; the median year is 69.7 mm (2.7 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Royal Observatory by year
YearWettest five days (Rx5day)
185083.7 mm (3.3 in)
1851112.9 mm (4.4 in)
185292.9 mm (3.7 in)
185363.4 mm (2.5 in)
185444.3 mm (1.7 in)
185559.6 mm (2.3 in)
185688.5 mm (3.5 in)
185756.2 mm (2.2 in)
185884.4 mm (3.3 in)
1859126.2 mm (5.0 in)
1860120.2 mm (4.7 in)
186184.6 mm (3.3 in)
186284.9 mm (3.3 in)
186357.3 mm (2.3 in)
186464.0 mm (2.5 in)
186568.2 mm (2.7 in)
186669.5 mm (2.7 in)
186759.9 mm (2.4 in)
186847.9 mm (1.9 in)
1869116.3 mm (4.6 in)
1870111.8 mm (4.4 in)
187150.7 mm (2.0 in)
187283.8 mm (3.3 in)
1873101.8 mm (4.0 in)
187452.1 mm (2.1 in)
187555.8 mm (2.2 in)
187669.5 mm (2.7 in)
1877100.5 mm (4.0 in)
187813.0 mm (0.5 in)
187950.3 mm (2.0 in)
188050.9 mm (2.0 in)
188195.1 mm (3.7 in)
1882110.6 mm (4.4 in)
188363.6 mm (2.5 in)
188469.9 mm (2.8 in)
188576.9 mm (3.0 in)
188664.3 mm (2.5 in)
188759.9 mm (2.4 in)
188882.2 mm (3.2 in)
188999.1 mm (3.9 in)
189074.1 mm (2.9 in)
1891113.4 mm (4.5 in)
189286.7 mm (3.4 in)
1893100.4 mm (4.0 in)
189449.6 mm (2.0 in)
189570.4 mm (2.8 in)
189647.5 mm (1.9 in)
189781.0 mm (3.2 in)
189884.5 mm (3.3 in)
1899107.7 mm (4.2 in)
190068.7 mm (2.7 in)
1901103.4 mm (4.1 in)
1902113.4 mm (4.5 in)
190375.2 mm (3.0 in)
190474.5 mm (2.9 in)
1905154.0 mm (6.1 in)
190664.9 mm (2.6 in)
190754.2 mm (2.1 in)
190897.7 mm (3.8 in)
1909105.4 mm (4.1 in)
191051.2 mm (2.0 in)
1911104.5 mm (4.1 in)
191248.6 mm (1.9 in)
191372.1 mm (2.8 in)
191479.0 mm (3.1 in)
1915125.2 mm (4.9 in)
191644.8 mm (1.8 in)
1917141.1 mm (5.6 in)
191857.5 mm (2.3 in)
191947.4 mm (1.9 in)
192068.8 mm (2.7 in)
192174.4 mm (2.9 in)
192242.0 mm (1.7 in)
192369.6 mm (2.7 in)
192450.0 mm (2.0 in)
1925137.4 mm (5.4 in)
192667.3 mm (2.6 in)
192763.4 mm (2.5 in)
192841.9 mm (1.6 in)
192963.5 mm (2.5 in)
193052.4 mm (2.1 in)
193164.5 mm (2.5 in)
193257.0 mm (2.2 in)
193347.2 mm (1.9 in)
193466.3 mm (2.6 in)
193559.0 mm (2.3 in)
193654.4 mm (2.1 in)
1937112.1 mm (4.4 in)
193883.8 mm (3.3 in)
193962.5 mm (2.5 in)
1940106.7 mm (4.2 in)
1941103.4 mm (4.1 in)
1942119.8 mm (4.7 in)
194358.7 mm (2.3 in)
1944144.5 mm (5.7 in)
1945104.6 mm (4.1 in)
194653.3 mm (2.1 in)
194796.6 mm (3.8 in)
194859.7 mm (2.4 in)
194951.4 mm (2.0 in)
1950103.0 mm (4.1 in)
1951111.4 mm (4.4 in)
195254.1 mm (2.1 in)
195386.9 mm (3.4 in)
1954127.4 mm (5.0 in)
195569.7 mm (2.7 in)
195679.8 mm (3.1 in)
195789.0 mm (3.5 in)
195856.7 mm (2.2 in)
195995.2 mm (3.7 in)
196075.7 mm (3.0 in)
196185.1 mm (3.4 in)
196273.4 mm (2.9 in)
196363.6 mm (2.5 in)
196446.9 mm (1.8 in)
196557.0 mm (2.2 in)
196656.4 mm (2.2 in)
196764.1 mm (2.5 in)
1968109.5 mm (4.3 in)
196961.4 mm (2.4 in)
197057.9 mm (2.3 in)
197172.1 mm (2.8 in)
197253.6 mm (2.1 in)
197347.9 mm (1.9 in)
1974144.3 mm (5.7 in)
1975132.7 mm (5.2 in)
197690.3 mm (3.6 in)
197774.0 mm (2.9 in)
197852.4 mm (2.1 in)
197935.6 mm (1.4 in)
198083.3 mm (3.3 in)
198150.8 mm (2.0 in)
198268.7 mm (2.7 in)
198395.0 mm (3.7 in)
198436.8 mm (1.4 in)
198576.7 mm (3.0 in)
198671.9 mm (2.8 in)
198948.1 mm (1.9 in)
199060.5 mm (2.4 in)
199157.5 mm (2.3 in)
199252.6 mm (2.1 in)
199383.0 mm (3.3 in)
199449.2 mm (1.9 in)
199535.4 mm (1.4 in)
199670.5 mm (2.8 in)
199749.7 mm (2.0 in)

Longest dry spell (CDD)

Longest dry spell (CDD) at Royal Observatory by year The longest dry spell of the year at Royal Observatory, 1850 to 1997. The record is 74 days in 1915, marked on the chart; the median year is 33 days. 0204060801860188019001920194019601980Record: 74 days in 1915
The longest dry spell of the year at Royal Observatory, 1850 to 1997. The record is 74 days in 1915, marked on the chart; the median year is 33 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Royal Observatory by year
YearLongest dry spell (CDD)
185018 days
185159 days
185228 days
185327 days
185425 days
185539 days
185630 days
185756 days
185833 days
185934 days
186023 days
186140 days
186240 days
186334 days
186448 days
186519 days
186632 days
186722 days
186825 days
186943 days
187033 days
187134 days
187220 days
187333 days
187425 days
187549 days
187658 days
187727 days
187815 days
187923 days
188018 days
188138 days
188223 days
188328 days
188424 days
188530 days
188645 days
188730 days
188854 days
188931 days
189023 days
189124 days
189219 days
189357 days
189451 days
189546 days
189632 days
189724 days
189833 days
189945 days
190018 days
190120 days
190238 days
190328 days
190441 days
190540 days
190641 days
190727 days
190820 days
190966 days
191043 days
191125 days
191228 days
191328 days
191431 days
191574 days
191624 days
191760 days
191836 days
191929 days
192039 days
192120 days
192227 days
192321 days
192438 days
192560 days
192644 days
192729 days
192826 days
192951 days
193026 days
193141 days
193221 days
193360 days
193434 days
193527 days
193634 days
193737 days
193822 days
193946 days
194019 days
194122 days
194220 days
194327 days
194431 days
194559 days
194626 days
194729 days
194820 days
194934 days
195021 days
195160 days
195246 days
195342 days
195426 days
195547 days
195635 days
195734 days
195843 days
195924 days
196041 days
196118 days
196226 days
196348 days
196440 days
196528 days
196629 days
196737 days
19686 days
196920 days
197030 days
197144 days
197244 days
197352 days
197432 days
197526 days
197639 days
197724 days
197832 days
197944 days
198034 days
198132 days
198239 days
198339 days
198433 days
198551 days
198635 days
198953 days
199049 days
199140 days
199232 days
199335 days
199438 days
199565 days
199642 days
199739 days

Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.

Rainfall Return Levels

125 years, 1850 to 1989

A day with at least 41.1 mm (1.6 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 101.7 mm (4.0 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.

Rainfall return levels at Royal Observatory: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once inA day with at leastNote
2 years41.1 mm (1.6 in)
5 years55.0 mm (2.2 in)
10 years65.1 mm (2.6 in)
25 years78.9 mm (3.1 in)
50 years90.0 mm (3.5 in)
100 years101.7 mm (4.0 in)

The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 125 years of values from 1850 to 1989.

A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.

The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 99.0 mm (3.9 in) in 1902; 96.5 mm (3.8 in) in 1911; 90.3 mm (3.6 in) in 1976.

Download the Data

  • Data for Royal Observatory standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
  • Data for Royal Observatory threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-15 (15 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.

Data as of . Last revised (2025-12-31).