If you’re planning to travel, hit the beach, or just leave the house this Thursday, you might want to double-check the forecast.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has sounded the alarm for Thursday, 31 July, with a mix of freezing temperatures, strong winds, rain, and snow expected to hit multiple parts of the country.
Several provinces—including the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal—are in the path of this intense weather system.
Western and Northern Cape to Face Freezing Winds and Rain
A strong high-pressure system moving in behind a cold front will bring a wintry punch to parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape.
Expect icy, wet, and windy conditions across:
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Cape Winelands
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Central Karoo
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Little Karoo
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Namakwa District
If you’re in these areas, especially if you’re farming or own pets, now’s the time to make sure everyone—including animals—is warm, safe, and sheltered.
Coastal Storm Alert: High Waves and Damaging Winds
Western Cape Coast (Thursday into Friday)
The coast from Saldanha Bay to Cape Agulhas will start feeling the storm early on Thursday.
By later in the day, it will stretch to Plettenberg Bay and Alexander Bay.
What to expect:
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Waves reaching 4 to 6 meters
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Wave intervals of 10–13 seconds
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Winds picking up to 40–60 km/h
KwaZulu-Natal Coast (Thursday night to Friday)
From Port Edward to Mtunzini, and later spreading to Kosi Bay, the wind will really start howling.
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Strong southerly to south-westerly winds
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Speeds of 25 to 35 knots, gusting up to 40 knots
Potential risks include:
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Small boats capsizing
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Harbour operations disrupted
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Beachfront activities cancelled
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General navigation hazards
Eastern Cape: Snowfall and Icy Roads on the Horizon
It’s not just wind and waves—there’s snow in the forecast, too.
Inland Areas (Thursday)
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Light snowfall expected on high-altitude regions
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Road icing likely as nighttime temperatures dip below zero
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This could mean travel disruptions after sunset
Coastal Areas (Thursday and Friday)
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Gale-force west/southwest winds
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Wave heights between 4.5 to 6.5 meters, lasting over 24 hours
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Expect dangerous sea conditions, possible port shutdowns, and beach closures
SAWS Shares Important Safety Reminders
To help everyone stay safe during the storm, SAWS issued some practical tips:
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Avoid traveling in snow or high-wind areas if you can
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Use heaters safely—don’t leave open flames unattended
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Secure outdoor items that could be blown away or cause damage
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Mariners and beachfront operators should monitor official updates closely and avoid risky activity