South Africa is in for a mixed day of weather, with several provinces facing cold and unsettled conditions while parts of the Western and Northern Cape prepare for much warmer weather.
Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected across large parts of the interior, while strong winds could affect coastal areas. Authorities have also issued impact-based warnings for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and dangerous fire conditions.
The South African Weather Service has urged residents in affected areas to take note of the latest warnings, particularly where heavy rain, lightning, hail and strong winds are expected.
Gauteng braces for cold thunderstorms
Gauteng will remain cloudy and cold, with scattered showers and thundershowers forecast across the province.
The expected UVB sunburn index is moderate.
The province may be South Africa’s smallest by land area, covering about 18 178 square kilometres, but it remains the country’s most populous. The 2020 census estimated Gauteng’s population at around 16 million.
Johannesburg is the provincial administrative capital.
Mpumalanga set for another cold and wet day
Mpumalanga is expected to experience cloudy conditions ranging from cold to very cold, accompanied by scattered showers and thundershowers.
The province covers approximately 76 495 square kilometres, making it the second-smallest province by area.
With an estimated population of 4.7 million in the 2020 census, Mpumalanga ranks sixth nationally by population. Its capital and largest city is Mbombela, formerly known as Nelspruit.
Limpopo could see showers and thunderstorms
Cloudy and cold conditions are forecast for Limpopo, with scattered showers and thundershowers expected.
Limpopo spans about 125 754 square kilometres, placing it fifth among South Africa’s provinces by size. Its estimated population was approximately 5.9 million in the 2020 census.
Polokwane serves as the provincial capital and largest city.
North West turns windy before showers develop
The North West is expected to start cloudy, windy and cold to cool before conditions become partly cloudy.
Scattered showers and thundershowers are also expected.
Covering roughly 104 882 square kilometres, the province is the sixth-largest in the country. Its population was estimated at about 4.2 million in the 2020 census, making it the seventh-most populous province.
Mahikeng is the provincial capital.
Free State remains cold and unsettled
The eastern parts of the Free State will initially be cloudy, while other areas should be partly cloudy.
Windy and cold to cool conditions are expected, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers forecast in most areas except parts of the southeast.
The Free State covers approximately 129 825 square kilometres, making it South Africa’s third-largest province. Its estimated population of 2.9 million makes it the second-smallest province by population.
Bloemfontein is the provincial capital and is also South Africa’s judicial capital.
Northern Cape combines sunshine, heat and strong coastal winds
The Northern Cape will see partly cloudy conditions in the northeast, where isolated showers and thundershowers are possible.
Elsewhere, conditions should generally be fine, with temperatures ranging from cool to warm. Morning fog patches are expected along the coast.
Strong north-easterly winds are also forecast along coastal areas.
Despite being South Africa’s largest province, covering approximately 372 889 square kilometres, the Northern Cape has the country’s smallest population, estimated at around 1.3 million in the 2020 census.
Kimberley is the provincial capital.
Western Cape heads for very hot conditions
The Western Cape will experience partly cloudy conditions over the eastern parts during the morning before becoming mostly fine.
Temperatures are expected to be warm to hot, with very hot conditions forecast over the West Coast District.
Coastal areas will also experience fresh to strong easterly to north-easterly winds along the south coast, while moderate to fresh south-easterly winds are expected elsewhere.
The UVB sunburn index is forecast to reach very high levels.
The province covers approximately 129 449 square kilometres and had an estimated population of 7.2 million according to the 2020 census. Cape Town is the provincial capital.
Eastern Cape sees different conditions across the province
The Eastern Cape will experience a noticeable contrast between its western and eastern regions.
In the western half, conditions will be partly cloudy in the south at first before becoming fine and cool to warm. Coastal areas could experience windy conditions, with fresh to strong north-easterly winds.
The eastern half will initially be cloudy along the coast, with rain expected east of the Kei River. Conditions should otherwise remain fine and cool, while moderate to fresh north-easterly winds are forecast along the coast.
The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s second-largest province, covering around 168 966 square kilometres. Its population was estimated at 6.7 million in the 2020 census.
Bhisho is the provincial capital.
KwaZulu-Natal remains cloudy and cool
KwaZulu-Natal is expected to begin with fog patches over the interior before becoming cloudy and cool to cold.
Isolated showers and rain are forecast, while coastal winds will initially be light to moderate from the easterly to south-easterly direction.
In the extreme south, winds are expected to become moderate to fresh north-easterlies before spreading towards Durban during the evening.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to be low.
KwaZulu-Natal covers approximately 94 361 square kilometres and is South Africa’s second-most populous province, with an estimated 11.5 million residents in the 2020 census.
Pietermaritzburg is the provincial capital.
Severe thunderstorms trigger Yellow Level 2 warning
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms affecting Gauteng, central to eastern parts of the North West and central to western areas of Limpopo.
The storms could bring heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning.
The weather could result in localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges, as well as damage to settlements and infrastructure.
Residents in affected areas should remain alert as conditions can deteriorate rapidly during severe thunderstorms.
Damaging coastal winds expected in Eastern Cape
Another Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for damaging winds affecting parts of the Eastern Cape.
The warning covers the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City metropolitan areas, as well as the Ndlambe, Nqgushwa and Sundays River Valley local municipalities.
The strong winds could damage settlements, disrupt activities along beachfront areas and make navigation difficult.
Extremely high fire danger remains a concern
Fire conditions are also expected to remain dangerous in parts of the Western and Northern Cape.
Extremely high fire danger conditions have been forecast for the Matzikama, Cederberg and Bergrivier municipalities in the Western Cape, as well as Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape.
Authorities and residents in these areas should exercise particular caution with activities that could accidentally start veld or vegetation fires.
Extreme heat advisory issued for Kamiesberg
While much of the country experiences cold or unsettled weather, Kamiesberg municipality is facing a different threat.
An advisory has been issued for extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions in the area.
Residents should take precautions against heat exposure, particularly during the hottest part of the day.
A day of weather extremes across the country
The latest forecast highlights the sharp contrast in South Africa’s weather, with thunderstorms, hail, lightning and flooding risks affecting parts of the interior while other regions face strong coastal winds, extreme heat and elevated fire danger.
The public is advised to monitor updates from the South African Weather Service as conditions can change during the day, particularly in areas covered by impact-based warnings.
