The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms across eastern parts of the Free State, eastern North West and most of KwaZulu-Natal for Thursday, 5 November 2026.
The warning highlights the possibility of flooding, property damage and disruptions to electricity supplies in affected areas.
A separate Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for central and western parts of the Free State and North West, where severe thunderstorms could also cause flooding, damage and power interruptions.
Fire Danger and Uncomfortable Heat Expected
Extremely high fire danger conditions are forecast in some areas of North West and the northern parts of the Free State.
KwaZulu-Natal is also expected to experience hot and humid conditions, with temperatures and humidity levels creating particularly uncomfortable weather across the eastern parts of the province.
KwaZulu-Natal Forecast
Morning fog is expected over the KwaZulu-Natal interior, while other areas will experience fine weather initially.
Conditions will become hot to very hot before partly cloudy weather develops during the afternoon. Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected over western and southern parts of the province, with isolated storms forecast elsewhere.
Coastal areas will experience moderate to fresh northerly to north-easterly winds, which are expected to strengthen from late morning.
The UVB sunburn index will be very high.
Durban Weather: Temperatures Could Reach 31°C
Durban is forecast to experience fine weather initially before becoming partly cloudy, with isolated afternoon thundershowers.
Moderate to fresh northerly to north-easterly winds are expected along the coast and could become strong at times.
Temperatures will range between a minimum of 21°C and a maximum of 31°C.
The UVB sunburn index is forecast to remain very high.
Free State Forecast
Fog is expected over the eastern parts of the Free State during the morning, followed by partly cloudy, windy and hot conditions across much of the province.
Scattered afternoon thundershowers are forecast, although storms are expected to be isolated in western areas, where temperatures will become very hot.
Bloemfontein: Windy Conditions and Afternoon Storms
Bloemfontein is expected to experience partly cloudy and windy weather, with isolated thundershowers developing during the afternoon.
Temperatures are forecast to range from a minimum of 16°C to a maximum of 37°C.
North West Forecast
North West is expected to experience partly cloudy, windy and hot to very hot conditions on Thursday.
Isolated to scattered thundershowers are forecast across the province, with the possibility of severe storms in affected areas.
Mahikeng: Scattered Afternoon Thundershowers
Mahikeng is forecast to experience partly cloudy and windy conditions, with scattered thundershowers expected during the afternoon.
Temperatures will range from a minimum of 21°C to a maximum of 33°C.
South African Weather Service Issues Thursday Forecast
The weather information for KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and North West was provided by the South African Weather Service.
Residents in areas covered by the thunderstorm warnings should take note of the possibility of flooding, property damage and power disruptions.
