South Africans can brace themselves for a another wintry week ahead as cold fronts sweep across the country, bringing rainfall to some regions while others experience dry but very cold conditions.
According to the South African Weather Service, most regions will see stable and fine weather as the week progresses, but several areas will experience light showers and brisk winds that will contribute to the winter chill.
“This is typical mid-winter weather for South Africa, with some regions experiencing more severe conditions than others,” said a spokesperson for the Weather Service. “We’re particularly concerned about the Western Cape, where persistent rainfall and potential flooding remain a risk.”
The Western Cape is expected to bear the brunt of the severe weather, with a cold front brushing the southwestern coast on Wednesday, 9 July. Isolated showers over the southwestern coast and interior are forecast, with a 30% chance of rain around Cape Town and Worcester. Heavy rain and flooding risks will continue along coastal areas throughout the week.
Authorities have warned that snowfall is likely on higher mountain passes including Cederberg and Hex River Mountains, creating potentially hazardous travel conditions. Motorists are advised to check road conditions before embarking on journeys through these areas.
In stark contrast, Gauteng and the Highveld will experience cold but clear conditions. Residents should prepare for cold mornings with temperatures around 4°C, warming to approximately 14-19°C during daylight hours. Skies will remain mostly clear with dry conditions and light winds throughout the week, though cold air will spread to southern Gauteng by midweek, accompanied by gusty winds.
The Free State is preparing for severe cold with temperatures expected to drop near or below freezing (0 to -1°C) during nighttime hours, with daytime highs reaching only around 11-13°C. Similar conditions will extend to the Eastern Cape highlands, with cold air spreading to these regions by Wednesday.
For KwaZulu-Natal, conditions will be milder compared to the interior provinces. Parts of the northeastern coast near Richards Bay could experience light rain early in the week, but temperatures are expected to remain cool to mild throughout.
Northern provinces will see varying conditions, with Mpumalanga and Limpopo experiencing a 30% rainfall probability on Tuesday. Areas including Polokwane, Phalaborwa and Mbombela might see isolated showers. Temperatures in Mpumalanga will range from lows near 1°C to highs around 24°C, while Limpopo will enjoy daytime highs between 20°C and 25°C.
The North West Province will experience cold nights with temperatures close to freezing (1-5°C), though daytime highs will reach more moderate levels up to about 19°C. Dry conditions are expected throughout the week.
Northern and Eastern Cape regions will remain cool to cold, with the interior regions continuing to feel winter’s chill. However, stable and fine weather is expected after midweek.
While no severe weather warnings were in place on Tuesday, the Weather Service advises travelers to prepare for cold weather nationwide and exercise caution, especially on mountain passes where snowfall is expected. Early morning drivers should be alert for frost on roads.
By Thursday, 10 July, fine and clear weather is expected to dominate most of the country, although temperatures will remain low due to lingering cold air. Eastern areas such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Lowveld will be cool to mild, with Mbombela forecast to be warmer than the surrounding regions.
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