South Africa is in for a varied weather picture today, with cloudy and cool conditions expected across several inland provinces, while parts of the Western Cape could experience very hot temperatures.
The South African Weather Service forecast points to isolated showers and thundershowers in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, while the Free State is expected to remain mainly fine to partly cloudy.
Along the coast, windy conditions will feature prominently in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Gauteng faces cloudy and cool conditions
Gauteng will start the day with isolated showers and thundershowers possible in the extreme north. Elsewhere, conditions are expected to remain cloudy and cool to cold before becoming partly cloudy.
The province can expect a moderate UVB sunburn index.
Gauteng remains South Africa’s smallest province by land area, covering approximately 18 178 square kilometres, but it is the country’s most populous province.
Mpumalanga stays cool with possible showers
Mpumalanga will experience cloudy and cool conditions, with isolated showers and thundershowers expected across much of the province.
The far western parts should escape the showers.
Mpumalanga is South Africa’s second-smallest province by area and has an estimated population of about 4.7 million people. Mbombela serves as its capital and largest city.
Limpopo could see afternoon improvement
Cloudy and cool weather is expected across Limpopo, accompanied by isolated showers and thundershowers.
Conditions should become partly cloudy towards the late afternoon.
Limpopo is the country’s fifth-largest province by area and has an estimated population of around 5.9 million. Polokwane is the provincial capital and largest city.
North West to see showers in the northeast
The North West will generally be partly cloudy and cool, although the north is expected to remain cloudy.
Isolated showers and rain are forecast in the north-eastern parts of the province.
Mahikeng is the provincial capital. North West ranks sixth among South Africa’s provinces in terms of land area and has an estimated population of about 4.2 million.
Free State should remain mostly settled
The Free State is expected to enjoy fine to partly cloudy and cool conditions, making it one of the quieter weather regions on the forecast.
Bloemfontein, the provincial capital and judicial capital of South Africa, is also the province’s largest city.
The Free State covers approximately 129 825 square kilometres but has one of the country’s smallest provincial populations, estimated at about 2.9 million.
Northern Cape faces coastal fog and strong winds
The Northern Cape will see cloudy and cool conditions along the coast, with morning fog patches possible.
Away from the coast, conditions will be fine, windy and cool to warm, while the north-east could become partly cloudy.
Light to moderate north-westerly winds are expected along the coast.
As South Africa’s largest province by land area, the Northern Cape covers nearly 373 000 square kilometres. It is also the country’s least populous province, with an estimated 1.3 million residents. Kimberley is the provincial capital.
Western Cape could experience extreme heat
The Western Cape is expected to have a sharp contrast between its coastal and inland areas.
Cloudy and cool conditions, together with morning fog, are forecast along the west and south-west coast. Elsewhere, conditions should be fine and warm to hot, with some parts of the southern interior becoming very hot.
Moderate to fresh north-westerly winds are expected along the coast, becoming strong in places along the south-west and south coasts.
The wind will later shift to moderate to fresh easterly to south-easterly along the south coast.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high, meaning people spending time outdoors should take extra precautions.
Cape Town is the provincial capital, while the Western Cape is the country’s fourth-largest province by area and third-largest by population.
Eastern Cape remains warm and mostly fine
The Eastern Cape will generally experience fine and warm conditions.
Morning fog is possible in places south of the escarpment in the western half of the province, while the eastern half should remain fine and warm.
Along the western coast, moderate north-easterly winds are expected. The eastern coastline could experience fresh to strong north-easterly winds.
Bhisho is the provincial capital. The Eastern Cape is South Africa’s second-largest province by land area and has an estimated population of approximately 6.7 million.
KwaZulu-Natal could see rain in the northeast
KwaZulu-Natal will begin with morning fog over the interior before becoming partly cloudy and cool to cold.
Isolated showers and rain are expected in the north-east.
Coastal winds will vary during the day, with moderate south-easterlies north of Richards Bay initially before moderate to fresh north-easterlies develop elsewhere. Winds could become strong at times in the south.
The province’s UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high.
KwaZulu-Natal is South Africa’s second-most populous province, with an estimated 11.5 million residents. Pietermaritzburg is the provincial capital.
No weather warnings currently issued
The South African Weather Service has issued no impact-based warnings, fire danger warnings or advisories for the forecast period.
Despite the absence of formal warnings, motorists and residents in areas experiencing fog, thunderstorms or strong coastal winds should remain alert to changing conditions.
Weather forecast information is provided by the South African Weather Service.
