The weather across South Africa on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, is marked by a mix of partly cloudy skies and hot conditions, with inland cities such as Kimberley, Upington, and Richards Bay climbing past 30°C.
While scattered showers and thundershowers are expected in parts of the Northern Cape and North West, the most pressing concern remains extremely high fire danger conditions over several provinces.
Coastal areas will see partly cloudy but cooler weather, with winds intensifying along KwaZulu-Natal’s shoreline.
Weather warnings issued for Wednesday, 27 August 2025
- Extremely High Fire Danger Conditions
- Fires may ignite easily, spread rapidly, and become difficult to control.
- Affected regions include:
- Northern Cape: South-eastern areas, including Kimberley and Upington, where heat and wind combine with possible thunderstorms.
- Free State: North-western regions, including Bloemfontein, at risk due to dry and windy conditions.
- Eastern Cape: Eastern interior zones, including Gqeberha’s hinterland, facing heightened wildfire risks.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Western parts, particularly inland from Durban and Pietermaritzburg, with dry and windy conditions fuelling fire hazards.
- Residents are urged to avoid open flames or uncontrolled burning, especially in rural and farming communities.
Regional highlights
- Gauteng: Pretoria 26°C, Johannesburg 29°C – partly cloudy with a very high UV index.
- Mpumalanga & Limpopo: Mbombela 27°C, Polokwane 25°C – morning fog clearing to fine weather.
- North West & Free State: Mahikeng 28°C, Bloemfontein 28°C – windy with partly cloudy skies.
- Northern Cape: Kimberley 30°C, Upington 31°C – hot, windy, with isolated thundershowers.
- Western Cape: Cape Town 19°C – fine with fresh southerly to south-easterly winds.
- Eastern Cape: Gqeberha 21°C, East London 22°C – partly cloudy with moderate south-westerly winds.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban 25°C, Richards Bay 32°C – partly cloudy and hot, with strong north-easterly winds.
- Pietermaritzburg: 32°C – partly cloudy and very hot.
As August nears its end, spring-like patterns intensify with hot, windy, and dry conditions inland, dramatically increasing the wildfire threat.
Meanwhile, isolated thundershowers in the Northern Cape and North West provide temporary relief but may trigger lightning-induced fires. Coastal cities experience moderate temperatures and strong winds, highlighting the contrasting climate risks across the country.