What’s the Weather Looking Like Across South Africa on Sunday, 26 January?
If you’re unsure what to wear this weekend, the weather might help you decide! Here’s a look at what’s in store for South Africa’s nine provinces on Sunday, 26 January.
For up-to-date weather and temperature details across the country, be sure to check out The South African website.
Gauteng: Warm and Sunny with a High UV Index
In Gauteng, you can expect warm to hot weather, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon.
The UVB Sunburn Index will be very high, so don’t forget to slather on sunscreen if you’re heading outside.
Fun Facts About Gauteng:
- Size: Gauteng is the smallest province, covering just 18,178 square kilometres.
- Population: It’s the most populous province, with around 16 million people according to the 2020 census.
- Capital: Pretoria is the capital, located at 25°44′46″S 28°11′17″E.
Mpumalanga: Warm with Isolated Showers
Expect partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures in Mpumalanga, with some isolated showers and thundershowers in the Lowveld, where it will be particularly hot.
Fun Facts About Mpumalanga:
- Size: Mpumalanga is the second smallest province, covering 76,495 square kilometres.
- Population: With about 4.7 million people, it ranks sixth in population size.
- Capital: Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) is the capital, located at 25°27′57″S 30°59′07″E.
Limpopo: Warm with Scattered Showers
Limpopo will see partly cloudy conditions and warm to hot temperatures, with some isolated showers and thundershowers expected in the north.
Fun Facts About Limpopo:
- Size: Limpopo is the fifth largest province, covering 125,754 square kilometres.
- Population: With 5.9 million people, it’s the fifth most populous province.
- Capital: Polokwane is the capital, located at 23°54′00″S 29°27′00″E.
North West: Hot with Afternoon Showers
The North West will be fine and hot, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Isolated showers and thundershowers are expected, except in the extreme east.
Fun Facts About the North West:
- Size: The North West is the sixth largest province, spanning 104,882 square kilometres.
- Population: It ranks seventh in population, with 4.2 million people.
- Capital: Mahikeng (formerly Mafikeng) is the capital, located at 25°51′56″S 25°38′37″E.
Free State: Morning Fog and Hot Temperatures
The Free State will experience morning fog in the east, followed by hot conditions throughout the day.
It will become partly cloudy in the afternoon with some isolated showers and thundershowers, except in the north-east.
Fun Facts About the Free State:
- Size: The Free State is the third largest province, covering 129,825 square kilometres.
- Population: It has the second smallest population, with 2.9 million people.
- Capital: Bloemfontein, South Africa’s judicial capital, is located at 29°07′S 26°13′E.
Northern Cape: Hot and Windy
In the Northern Cape, the weather will vary: warm to hot in the west and south-west, and very hot to extremely hot with isolated showers and thundershowers in the east.
Winds along the coast will be moderate to fresh, becoming strong in the afternoon.
Fun Facts About the Northern Cape:
- Size: The Northern Cape is the largest province, covering a massive 372,889 square kilometres.
- Population: It has the smallest population, with around 1.3 million residents.
- Capital: Kimberley is the capital, located at 28°44′18″S 24°45′50″E.
Western Cape: Warm with Cloudy Skies
The Western Cape will experience warm temperatures, becoming cloudy along the south coast by the afternoon with light rain in the evening. Expect partly cloudy skies in the north-east, with isolated afternoon thundershowers.
Fun Facts About the Western Cape:
- Size: The Western Cape is the fourth largest province, covering 129,449 square kilometres.
- Population: It’s the third most populous, with an estimated 7.2 million people.
- Capital: Cape Town is the capital, located at 33°55′31″S 18°25′26″E.
Eastern Cape: Cloudy with Showers
The weather in the Eastern Cape will vary by region. The western half will be cloudy along the coast, while the eastern half will be mostly fine and hot.
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected in the evening.
Fun Facts About the Eastern Cape:
- Size: The Eastern Cape is the second largest province, covering 168,966 square kilometres.
- Population: It ranks fourth in population size, with 6.7 million people.
- Capital: Bhisho is the capital, located at 32°50′58″S 27°26′17″E.
KwaZulu-Natal: Warm with Morning Fog
KwaZulu-Natal will experience partly cloudy skies, with warm to hot conditions and isolated showers and thundershowers expected in the east.
Morning fog will be a feature over the interior.
Fun Facts About KwaZulu-Natal:
- Size: KwaZulu-Natal is the seventh largest province, spanning 94,361 square kilometres.
- Population: It is the second most populous province, with an estimated 11.5 million people.
- Capital: Pietermaritzburg is the capital, located at 29°37′S 30°23′E.
Weather Alerts & Warnings
Impact-Based Warnings:
- A Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, including strong winds and excessive lightning, is expected over the eastern parts of the Northern Cape.
Fire Danger Warnings:
- Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in several areas, including parts of the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and North West.
Heatwave Advisory:
- A heatwave is anticipated in the north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, south-western Free State, and central and eastern Northern Cape until Monday.