South Africans are heading into Thursday under the grip of a cut-off low weather system, and the SA Weather Service says the setup could bring widespread rainfall of up to 90mm in places as it pushes into the western interior. For many communities, that means a wet, windy and potentially dangerous day, with the system expected to move eastwards before leaving the country by Friday.
The timing is particularly important because the weather pattern is landing as people travel for the long weekend. Across the interior, the forecast points to heavy showers, strong storms and localised flooding risk, while coastal areas in KwaZulu-Natal are also being watched for rough conditions at sea. As we reported earlier, this is the kind of system that can turn quickly, and residents are being urged to keep an eye on the latest updates from SA Weather Service through the day.
The most serious alert is a Level 6 warning for severe thunderstorms over the western parts of the Free State and North West, as well as the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape. That warning signals the risk of damage to infrastructure, settlements, property, vehicles, livelihoods and livestock, along with injuries, danger to life and major travel disruptions. For farmers and rural communities in particular, that kind of forecast is not something to take lightly.
A Level 4 warning has also been issued for severe thunderstorms over the central parts of North West, the central and eastern Free State, and the central interior of the Northern Cape. While slightly lower than the Level 6 alert, it still points to potentially serious conditions, including damage to property and disruptions on roads. In practice, that means motorists should be ready for reduced visibility, standing water and sudden downpours.
On the coast, a Level 1 warning for damaging wind and waves has been flagged between Richards Bay and Kosi Bay. The SA Weather Service says this could cause difficulty in navigation, short-term disruption at small harbours and ports, and present a risk to small vessels, which may take on water or capsize in isolated spots. Beachfront activities could also be affected, with some localised damage to coastal infrastructure possible.
SA Weather Service forecast warns of a cut-off low weather system across South Africa
The cut-off low weather system is the driving force behind Thursday’s unsettled conditions, and the effects will be felt differently across the country. In the north and central interior, the day begins with fog in several areas before clouds build and showers develop later. In parts of the west and interior, the forecast is more severe, with cool to cold conditions, strong winds and widespread thunderstorms expected.
In Gauteng, residents can expect fog in places early on, followed by a cloudy and cool day with isolated showers and thundershowers in the afternoon. Mpumalanga should see morning fog before turning cloudy and cool to warm. Limpopo is also set for fog, with drizzle along the escarpment, then cloudy conditions through the day.
The weather story becomes more intense in North West and the Free State. Both provinces are forecast to be cloudy, windy and cool to cold, with scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers. In the extreme east, conditions may be a bit less severe, but the broader picture remains unstable and wet.
The Northern Cape is also in for a mixed but risky day. The western interior is expected to see isolated showers and thunderstorms, while the central and eastern parts could get scattered to widespread rain. Along the coast, winds should stay moderate from the south to south-west, but inland conditions are where the real concern lies.
The Western Cape will be one of the calmer provinces overall, with fine weather over the central and western parts. The north-eastern areas, however, may see cloud build-up and isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Winds along the west coast will be moderate to fresh south-westerly, while the south coast should start lighter before strengthening later in the day.
In the Eastern Cape, both halves of the province are expected to stay partly cloudy and cool, with isolated showers and thundershowers in places. The eastern half looks more active, especially in the north, where rainfall could become scattered to widespread in some spots. Coastal wind direction will vary through the day, but the overall setup remains changeable.
KwaZulu-Natal is forecast to be partly cloudy and cool to warm, though the south-west could remain cold. The south-west is expected to see scattered showers and thundershowers, while the rest of the province should mostly get isolated activity. Conditions along the coast will shift during the day, with winds turning south-westerly in the south by evening.
For travellers, the SA Weather Service says Pretoria will see morning fog before cloudy skies and isolated afternoon showers, with a minimum/maximum of 9/21°C. Johannesburg is forecast at 8/18°C, while Vereeniging should range from 6/20°C. Mbombela will stay cloudy with morning fog, at 14/23°C, and Polokwane is expected to remain cloudy at 14/17°C.
Mahikeng is set for cloudy, windy conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers, reaching 14/21°C. Vryburg could be wetter, with widespread showers and storms and temperatures of 14/20°C. In the Free State, Bloemfontein is forecast at 10/14°C, while Kimberley and Upington will also be cloudy, windy and wet, with maximums of 14°C and 16°C respectively.
On the coast, Cape Town is expected to stay fine at 14/20°C, while George should be fine before turning partly cloudy later, with 8/19°C. Gqeberha will be partly cloudy at 13/20°C, and East London fine at first before becoming partly cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers at 14/21°C.
In Durban, the forecast calls for partly cloudy conditions and temperatures of 16/24°C, with winds shifting direction through the day. Richards Bay could reach 27°C, starting partly cloudy before becoming fine in the evening. Pietermaritzburg is also expected to see isolated showers and thundershowers, with a range of 8/22°C.
For readers planning travel or outdoor events, the message is clear: Thursday’s SA Weather Service forecast is one to monitor closely. With a cut-off low weather system bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds and rough coastal conditions, the safest move is to stay updated, plan ahead and avoid unnecessary risk as the weather changes through the day.