The weather across South Africa on Sunday, 24 August 2025, highlights a dangerous mix of coastal storm surges and inland fire conditions.
A Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging waves has been issued for the west and south coasts, while extremely high fire danger threatens parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal. Inland, most areas will be dry and warm to hot, with Pretoria peaking at 28°C and Polokwane reaching 30°C.
Coastal regions such as Cape Town and George, however, face cooler, cloudy, and rainy conditions.
Weather warnings issued for Sunday, 24 August 2025
- Yellow Level 2 Warning – Damaging Waves
- Hazardous waves between Alexander Bay and Port Alfred may lead to localised damage to harbours, beaches, and coastal infrastructure.
- Swimmers, fishermen, and small boat operators should avoid risky activities.
- A Yellow Level 2 alert indicates disruptive conditions with potential impacts to infrastructure and safety along the coastline.
- Extremely High Fire Danger Conditions
- The risk of wildfires is critical across multiple regions:
- South-eastern Gauteng – affecting areas near Johannesburg and Pretoria.
- Southern Mpumalanga – including communities south of Mbombela.
- South-western North West – affecting towns such as Vryburg.
- Eastern Free State – including areas around Bloemfontein.
- Extreme north-western KwaZulu-Natal – near uPhongolo and surrounding rural areas.
- Fires could start quickly, spread uncontrollably, and prove very difficult to extinguish.
- The risk of wildfires is critical across multiple regions:
Regional highlights
- Gauteng: Pretoria 28°C, Johannesburg 27°C – hot and sunny.
- Mpumalanga & Limpopo: Mbombela 29°C, Polokwane 30°C – hot and dry.
- North West & Free State: Mahikeng 28°C, Bloemfontein 21°C – fine and warm.
- Northern Cape: Kimberley 23°C, Upington 23°C – dry and mild.
- Western Cape: Cape Town 15°C, George 16°C – cloudy with morning showers.
- Eastern Cape: Gqeberha 19°C, East London 20°C – partly cloudy with strong winds.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban 21°C, Richards Bay 24°C – cloudy with isolated showers.
- Pietermaritzburg: 21°C – morning fog, cloudy with showers.
The last week of August underscores contrasting risks across the country: coastal storm surges on the Atlantic and Indian Ocean seaboards, and dangerous inland fire weather driven by hot, dry, and windy conditions. Residents should exercise caution both on land and at sea.