The weather across South Africa on Monday, 25 August 2025, is marked by widespread dry and hot conditions in the interior, with temperatures soaring into the upper 20s and low 30s in several provinces.
While most areas will remain fine, extremely high fire danger is a key concern, threatening large parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, North West, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape.
Coastal regions, including Durban and Richards Bay, may see showers and fresh to strong winds, while Cape Town and George remain relatively mild under partly cloudy skies.
Weather warnings issued for Monday, 25 August 2025
- Extremely High Fire Danger Conditions
- This warning highlights a critical risk of runaway wildfires, meaning fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and be difficult to control.
- Areas under threat include:
- KwaZulu-Natal: Northern and extreme western regions, including cities such as Newcastle and uLundi.
- North West: Widespread risk, particularly near Mahikeng and Vryburg.
- Free State: Central and eastern regions, including Bloemfontein.
- Northern Cape: Eastern districts, extending towards Kimberley and Upington.
- Eastern Cape: Jo Gqabi District (covering towns such as Aliwal North), Chris Hani District (including Queenstown/Komani) and Matatiele Municipality near the Drakensberg.
- A fire danger warning of this scale means residents should avoid open flames, agricultural burning, and any outdoor activity that could spark fires.
Regional highlights
- Gauteng: Pretoria 31°C, Johannesburg 29°C – hot and sunny with a very high UV index.
- Mpumalanga & Limpopo: Mbombela 27°C, Polokwane 28°C – morning fog, otherwise fine.
- North West & Free State: Mahikeng 30°C, Bloemfontein 27°C – partly cloudy, windy.
- Northern Cape: Kimberley 29°C, Upington 29°C – partly cloudy, windy.
- Western Cape: Cape Town 18°C, George 18°C – partly cloudy, cooler along the coast.
- Eastern Cape: Gqeberha 19°C, East London 19°C – fresh to strong south-westerlies.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban 24°C, Richards Bay 29°C – partly cloudy with showers, turning windy.
- Pietermaritzburg: 29°C – fog in the morning, clearing to partly cloudy skies.
Late August continues to reflect contrasting risks: interior provinces are hot, dry, and prone to wildfire outbreaks, while coastal KwaZulu-Natal faces showers and strengthening winds. These conditions underline the need for fire vigilance inland and caution at sea and along exposed coastlines.