The weather across South Africa on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, will be largely fine and warmer in most inland regions, with temperatures peaking in the high twenties in parts of Gauteng, Limpopo, and North West.
However, extremely high fire danger warnings remain in force for several municipalities across the Northern Cape, Western Cape, North West, and Eastern Cape. Coastal provinces can expect some variation, with cloudy and rainy conditions along parts of KwaZulu-Natal and light rain returning to the Western Cape later in the evening.
Weather warnings issued for Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Extremely high fire danger conditions – Forecast for:
- Central Northern Cape – including towns such as Upington and Kimberley, where warm and dry conditions increase fire spread potential.
- Maquassi Hills Local Municipality (North West) – covering towns like Wolmaransstad, where windy weather heightens the fire risk.
- Laingsburg and Beaufort West (Western Cape) – semi-arid areas where vegetation is dry, making fires more likely to ignite and spread.
- Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality (Eastern Cape) – including Graaff-Reinet, where hot, dry, and windy conditions add to fire concerns.
These warnings mean that fires could ignite easily, spread quickly, and be difficult to contain, threatening property, agriculture, and infrastructure. Residents are urged to refrain from open flames or outdoor burning.
Regional highlights:
- Gauteng – Fine; Pretoria 27°C, Johannesburg 26°C, Vereeniging 25°C.
- Mpumalanga & Limpopo – Mbombela 24°C, Polokwane 26°C.
- North West & Free State – Mahikeng hot at 28°C, Vryburg 27°C, Bloemfontein 24°C.
- Northern Cape – Kimberley 26°C, Upington 28°C.
- Western Cape – Cape Town cloudy with light evening rain, 17°C; George fine at 22°C.
- Eastern Cape – Gqeberha morning cloud then fine at 23°C, East London fine at 21°C.
- KwaZulu-Natal – Durban cloudy with showers before clearing to 21°C; Richards Bay partly cloudy with morning showers, 24°C; Pietermaritzburg 21°C after morning rain.
According to the seasonal forecast, much of South Africa is expected to experience above-normal daytime temperatures in August, especially in the northern and central interior.
This contributes to persistent fire danger episodes, while rainfall along coastal provinces will remain limited and sporadic.