The weather today in South Africa presents a mix of fine and partly cloudy conditions, but with significant risks posed by extremely high fire danger warnings across several provinces.
Hot inland temperatures, gusty winds, and scattered morning showers in parts of the Northern Cape and Free State highlight a day of contrasts. Coastal regions, including Cape Town, Gqeberha, and East London, will see cloudy spells with rain or showers, while KwaZulu-Natal remains warm and humid.
Weather warnings issued for Friday, 29 August 2025
- Extremely High Fire Danger Conditions
- Fires may spread rapidly and be difficult to control due to dry air, hot temperatures, and wind.
- Affected regions include:
- North West: Western parts, including Mahikeng and Vryburg, where windy conditions increase the risk.
- Northern Cape: Eastern areas such as Kimberley and Upington, already expecting morning thundershowers with strong winds.
- Free State: Including Bloemfontein, with partly cloudy and windy conditions increasing ignition risks.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Northern and south-western regions, including Richards Bay and inland towns near Durban.
- Mpumalanga and Limpopo: Including Mbombela and Polokwane, where fine skies but high heat will intensify fire hazards.
- The absence of impact-based weather warnings does not reduce risk: these fire alerts are serious and suggest a very high likelihood of fires spreading quickly. Communities should avoid open flames, and farmers are advised against burning stubble or grasslands.
Regional highlights
- Gauteng: Pretoria 29°C, Johannesburg 27°C – fine with a very high UV index.
- Mpumalanga & Limpopo: Mbombela 29°C, Polokwane 29°C – sunny and hot.
- North West & Free State: Mahikeng 30°C, Bloemfontein 25°C – windy, with isolated morning thundershowers.
- Northern Cape: Kimberley 23°C, Upington 26°C – partly cloudy, windy, with isolated morning showers.
- Western Cape: Cape Town 19°C – cloudy, clearing later with light southerly winds.
- Eastern Cape: Gqeberha 19°C, East London 23°C – morning rain and thundershowers clearing to partly cloudy.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban 25°C, Richards Bay 32°C – partly cloudy, hot and humid with a high UV index.
- Pietermaritzburg: 30°C – morning fog, clearing to partly cloudy skies.
The seasonal forecast indicates above-normal rainfall in the eastern and south-eastern regions during early and mid-spring, while most of the country, particularly the interior, faces below-normal rainfall later in spring.
Combined with above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures, this trend is expected to increase wildfire risks, strain water supplies, and pose health risks from heat and UV exposure. Agricultural producers in drier areas are encouraged to prioritise soil and water conservation measures.