South Africa is bracing for a stormy Sunday, with the SA Weather Service (SAWS) issuing multiple warnings ahead of what could be a difficult day for several provinces. From the Northern Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal, severe thunderstorms are on the cards — and residents in vulnerable communities are being urged to take precautions.
The most serious alert comes in the form of a Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms affecting the eastern parts of the Northern Cape, western parts of North West, and the western parts of the Free State. SAWS has flagged the real risk of localised damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock in these areas. This is not a warning to take lightly, particularly for those living in low-lying or poorly constructed settlements.
A Level 1 warning has also been issued for the central and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, where severe thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy downpours, hail, excessive lightning, and damaging winds. The concern here is flooding in susceptible informal settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure across the province.
Sunday’s South Africa Weather Forecast: Province-by-Province Breakdown
Gauteng residents can expect a partly cloudy, warm day with isolated showers and thundershowers rolling through. It won’t be a washout, but you’ll want to keep an umbrella close. Johannesburg is looking at temperatures between 14°C and 25°C, while Pretoria sits slightly warmer at 15°C to 27°C — with a high UVB sunburn index, so sun protection remains relevant even on a cloudy day.
In Mpumalanga, morning fog on the Highveld will give way to a partly cloudy afternoon, with isolated showers and thundershowers developing — except in the north-east. Mbombela could reach a warm 29°C, making it one of the warmer spots on the map despite the threat of afternoon storms.
Limpopo starts cloudy but clears somewhat through the day, with isolated afternoon showers expected over the southern parts. Polokwane is forecast to be largely dry and partly cloudy, reaching 29°C — the same peak temperature as Mbombela.
The North West is in for a rougher day, with scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers expected across much of the province. Mahikeng is forecast for cloud and scattered storms, while Vryburg faces widespread thundershower activity with a maximum of 26°C.
The Free State similarly faces a cloudy, unsettled Sunday with widespread showers and thundershowers in many areas. Bloemfontein tops out at just 22°C under heavy cloud, and Kimberley in the Northern Cape matches that ceiling with its own widespread storm activity.
Moving to the Western Cape, the far west stays fine, with Cape Town expecting a pleasant partly cloudy day at 17°C to 26°C — and a very high UVB sunburn index that beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts should note. The eastern parts of the province, however, see isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, with morning fog patches in places.
The Eastern Cape tells a cloudier story on both its eastern and western halves. Gqeberha sees a moderate south-westerly wind with isolated morning showers and a top of 22°C, while East London faces scattered showers and isolated thundershowers, with winds shifting from north-easterly to south-westerly through the afternoon.
In KwaZulu-Natal, morning fog clears to a mostly warm day with scattered showers developing in the south. Durban is forecast to sit between 22°C and 26°C, with evening showers and thundershowers building. Richards Bay could hit 32°C, matching Pietermaritzburg’s maximum despite the latter expecting morning fog and increasing cloud through the evening.
Sunday is shaping up to be a weather-defined day across much of South Africa — with the storm warnings in the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal serving as a firm reminder that the summer rain season still has teeth. Stay informed, check your local conditions before heading out, and if you’re in a warned area, consider delaying any unnecessary travel until the storms pass.