South Africans across the country can expect a mix of cool, warm and hot conditions today, with several provinces facing the possibility of isolated showers and thundershowers.
The South African Weather Service forecast also points to fog and mist in parts of the coastal provinces, while the Northern and Western Cape can expect generally finer conditions.
Here is what residents in each of the nine provinces can expect.
Gauteng
Gauteng is forecast to be cloudy and cool, although temperatures will be warmer in the extreme northern parts of the province.
Isolated showers and thundershowers are also expected in some areas. The expected UVB sunburn index is moderate.
Gauteng is South Africa‘s smallest province by area, covering approximately 18 178 square kilometres, but it is the country’s most populous province, with an estimated 16 million residents based on the 2020 census.
Johannesburg is the province’s administrative capital.
Mpumalanga
Cloudy and cool conditions are expected across Mpumalanga, with isolated showers and thundershowers possible.
The Lowveld is expected to experience warmer conditions compared with other parts of the province.
Mpumalanga covers about 76 495 square kilometres, making it South Africa’s second-smallest province by area. It has an estimated population of 4.7 million people.
Mbombela, formerly known as Nelspruit, serves as the provincial capital and largest city.
Limpopo
Limpopo residents can expect cloudy conditions ranging from cool to warm, accompanied by isolated showers and thundershowers.
The province covers approximately 125 754 square kilometres and is the fifth-largest province by area.
It has an estimated population of 5.9 million people, while Polokwane serves as its capital and largest city.
North West
The North West is expected to experience partly cloudy conditions, with temperatures ranging from cool to warm.
Isolated showers and thundershowers are possible in some areas.
The province covers about 104 882 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 4.2 million people.
Mahikeng is the provincial capital.
Free State
Partly cloudy conditions are forecast in the Free State, with temperatures expected to range from cool to warm.
Isolated showers and thundershowers may develop in parts of the province.
The Free State covers approximately 129 825 square kilometres, making it South Africa’s third-largest province by area.
It has an estimated population of 2.9 million people. Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital, is the provincial capital and largest city.
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is expected to enjoy fine conditions initially, with temperatures ranging from cool to warm and becoming hot in some areas.
Cloud cover is expected to increase during the afternoon.
Along the coast, winds will be light to moderate from the south to southeast before becoming moderate north-westerly from the evening.
The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province, covering approximately 372 889 square kilometres. Despite its size, it is the country’s least populous province, with an estimated 1.3 million residents.
Kimberley is the provincial capital.
Western Cape
The Western Cape can expect morning fog patches and mist along the south-western coast. These conditions are expected to spread along the south coast from the afternoon into the evening.
Elsewhere, conditions should remain fine to partly cloudy and warm to hot, although the extreme south-western parts will be cooler.
Coastal winds are expected to be light and variable along the south coast, while other coastal areas can expect light to moderate southerly to south-easterly winds.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high, meaning residents should take appropriate precautions when spending extended periods outdoors.
The Western Cape covers about 129 449 square kilometres and has an estimated population of 7.2 million. Cape Town is the provincial capital.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is expected to experience morning fog patches in southern areas, followed by partly cloudy and warm to hot conditions.
In the western half, isolated showers and thundershowers are expected to develop over the interior as cloud cover increases.
Similar conditions are forecast in the eastern half, with showers and thundershowers potentially spreading to areas along the East Coast.
Moderate to fresh north-easterly winds are expected along the coast in both the western and eastern sections.
The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s second-largest province, covering approximately 168 966 square kilometres. It has an estimated population of 6.7 million people.
Bhisho is the provincial capital.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is expected to experience fog over the interior, while isolated showers and rain are possible in the extreme north-east during the morning.
The rest of the province should see partly cloudy conditions ranging from cool to warm, with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers expected over the western parts.
Along the coast, moderate westerly to south-westerly winds are expected north of Mandeni during the morning, while other areas can expect light to moderate easterly to north-easterly winds.
The expected UVB sunburn index is moderate.
KwaZulu-Natal covers approximately 94 361 square kilometres and is South Africa’s second-most populous province, with an estimated 11.5 million residents.
Pietermaritzburg is the provincial capital.
No Weather Warnings Issued
The South African Weather Service has issued no impact-based warnings for the country for the forecast period.
There are also no fire danger warnings or advisories in place.
Residents are nevertheless encouraged to monitor local weather developments, particularly in areas where isolated showers, thunderstorms, fog or strong coastal winds are forecast.
Forecast Data From SA Weather Service
The provincial forecast and weather information are provided by the South African Weather Service, which remains the official source for weather warnings, forecasts and updates across the country.
