South Africa braces for another day of adverse weather conditions as systems of rainfall and snow persist across key regions.
Weather warnings issued for Saturday, 5 July 2025
The weather today will be shaped by disruptive rainfall in the Western Cape, hazardous maritime conditions along the southern coastline, and snow in elevated terrain in the Eastern Cape.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), significant impacts are expected for both rural and urban communities, requiring vigilance from residents and authorities alike.
- Yellow Level 4 Warning: Disruptive Rainfall: The western parts of the Western Cape, including the City of Cape Town and surrounding districts such as Cape Winelands and Overberg, are under a Level 4 warning. This high-impact alert signals a strong likelihood of flooding across roads and low-lying bridges, with potential danger to life posed by fast-flowing water.
- Yellow Level 1 Warning – Disruptive Snow: Northern parts of the Eastern Cape, particularly areas around Senqu and Elundini, are forecast to experience snowfall. This snow may lead to the closure of mountain passes, traffic disruptions due to icy roads, and isolated losses of livestock, particularly in less sheltered farming regions.
- Yellow Level 2 Warning – Damaging Waves: Maritime alerts are in effect for sea routes between Cape Agulhas and East London. Expect rough seas with high wave activity that could endanger small vessels and make navigation hazardous.
While no fire danger warnings are in effect today, an advisory is in place for the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape and the interior of the Western Cape, where very cold, wet, and windy conditions are forecast.
The Eastern Cape interior will also see very cold temperatures, which, although not unusual for mid-winter, come amid concerns about the health and agricultural impacts of prolonged exposure.
This pattern of persistent winter storms aligns with the Seasonal Climate Watch issued in early June, which forecast above-normal rainfall for the southwest and eastern coastal areas during mid-winter. Simultaneously, temperatures remain largely above normal across most of South Africa, excluding southern coastal zones where cooler-than-average conditions are expected.
