The weather across South Africa on Saturday, 30 August 2025, is expected to be predominantly fine, with warm to hot conditions persisting over the interior. Northern and eastern regions will contend with increased wildfire risks under extremely high fire danger conditions.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies are expected over parts of the coastal provinces, where light rain and isolated showers are forecast. A high to very high UVB index remains a concern in several provinces, requiring extra sun protection.
Weather warnings issued for Saturday, 30 August 2025
- Extremely High Fire Danger Conditions
- These conditions imply that fires may start easily and spread rapidly, driven by dry air, elevated temperatures, and wind.
- Northern KwaZulu-Natal: Including Richards Bay and inland areas north of Durban, where fine and windy conditions are expected.
- Eastern Mpumalanga: Including Mbombela, where high temperatures (maximum of 35°C) contribute to elevated fire risks.
- Central and Northern Limpopo: Including cities like Polokwane, where fine and dry weather with maximum temperatures of 30°C exacerbate fire threats.
- Residents and local authorities in these regions are urged to avoid open flames, cease agricultural burning, and report any wildfires immediately. These alerts, while not linked to impact-based warnings, carry significant risk and require caution.
Regional weather forecast
- Inland Provinces:
- Pretoria: Sunny with a maximum of 30°C and very high UV index.
- Johannesburg: 28°C, fine throughout the day.
- Bloemfontein: Clear skies, 26°C.
- Polokwane: Sunny and hot at 30°C.
- Mahikeng and Vryburg: Hot with highs of 30°C and 29°C, respectively.
- Northern and Western Regions:
- Kimberley and Upington: Fine and dry; highs of 27°C and 29°C.
- Northern Cape: Stable weather but fire risk remains high due to residual dryness.
- Coastal Provinces:
- Cape Town: Partly cloudy, with a moderate north-westerly breeze, high of 21°C.
- George and Gqeberha: Partly cloudy and breezy, reaching 20–21°C.
- East London: Cloudy with light rain and a cooler high of 20°C.
- Durban, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg: Partly cloudy with isolated rain; Durban and Richards Bay both peak at 25°C.
According to the Seasonal Climate Watch, fire risks are expected to persist due to above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall in many interior areas. The eastern and south-eastern regions may benefit from above-normal rainfall in early spring, yet dry conditions elsewhere remain a concern. This poses ongoing challenges for water resources, agriculture, and public health. Stakeholders are encouraged to implement water conservation and health precautions as part of their daily response strategy.
