South Africa is bracing for a mixed bag of weather conditions this Friday, 10 April 2026, with the SA Weather Service issuing alerts that demand serious attention from motorists and residents in vulnerable areas. Across much of the country, expect partly cloudy skies, warm to hot temperatures, and isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers developing through the afternoon. It’s the kind of day where conditions can shift quickly, and complacency is not an option.
The most pressing concern is a Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms affecting the Nama Khoi, Khai-Ma, and Hantam municipalities in the Northern Cape. The SA Weather Service warns of localised flooding on susceptible roads, low-lying areas, and bridges — alongside the risk of large amounts of small hail and strong winds. If you’re travelling through those areas on Friday, plan accordingly and monitor updates closely.
Coastal residents between Plettenberg Bay and East London in the Eastern Cape, as well as those in the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape, should prepare for hot and humid conditions throughout the day. These areas will feel the full force of the late-summer heat, with temperatures climbing well above seasonal comfort levels in some spots.
SA Weather Forecast for Friday 10 April: Region-by-Region Breakdown
In Gauteng, conditions will be relatively settled — partly cloudy and warm, with Johannesburg recording a low of 13°C and a high of 27°C, and Pretoria reaching up to 29°C. It’s a good day to be in the city, provided afternoon clouds don’t sneak in a surprise shower.
Mpumalanga wakes up to morning fog on the highveld with possible drizzle along the escarpment, clearing to partly cloudy and warm conditions by midday. Mbombela sits at a 13–29°C range, while Limpopo follows a similar pattern — fog patches in the east and central regions early on, giving way to partly cloudy skies. Polokwane will see 13–28°C on Friday.
The Free State is largely settled, but the south and areas along the Lesotho border could see isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers. Bloemfontein stays relatively mild at 14–26°C, which is comfortable for this time of year.
Over in the Western Cape, it will be warm to hot with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers expected. Cape Town is heading into a cloudy afternoon with showers and thundershowers possible, a high of 29°C, and winds shifting from moderate north-westerly to south-easterly as the afternoon progresses. George follows a similar trajectory, with a 20–30°C range and light northerly winds turning south-westerly later in the day.
The Eastern Cape splits into two distinct stories on Friday. The western half sees fine and hot to very hot conditions — Gqeberha tops out at a sweltering 33°C — while the eastern half remains fine and warm, with East London at 21–29°C. Both halves see some cloud and isolated showers developing over northern and eastern sections as the afternoon builds.
KwaZulu-Natal rounds out the picture with partly cloudy and warm conditions, isolated afternoon thundershowers, and notable coastal winds. Durban and Richards Bay both sit in the 20–31°C bracket, with moderate northerly to north-easterly winds freshening through the afternoon. Pietermaritzburg is also tracking afternoon thundershowers at a warm 17–30°C.
Looking ahead to Saturday, residents in the west and south of the country can expect temperatures to begin easing as cooler conditions start to filter through. It won’t be dramatic, but the relief will be noticeable, particularly for those who’ve endured the week’s heat.
This is a developing weather situation and the forecast will be updated several times throughout the day as conditions evolve. SA Report urges all readers in warned areas — particularly the Northern Cape — to stay weather-aware, avoid flooded roads, and heed any further guidance issued by the SA Weather Service. Don’t underestimate a Level 2 warning; these storms can turn dangerous with very little notice.