A third cold front is making its way across South Africa, bringing with it cold temperatures, rain, and strong winds just as schools are set to reopen.
School reopening set to be chilly as third cold front washes over parts of South Africa
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), this weather system is expected to hit the Western Cape first, before spreading to other parts of the country throughout the week.
The SAWS forecasts a 60% chance of scattered showers along the Eastern Cape, southern KwaZulu-Natal, and coastal regions. Inland provinces such as the Free State, Northern Cape, and Limpopo can expect isolated thunderstorms, while Gauteng and Mpumalanga are predicted to stay dry for now.
Forecaster Tokelo Chiloane noted that the front will move across central and eastern provinces by Friday.
“Rainfall will extend to KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng,” Chiloane told IOL News.
Temperature-wise, the country is bracing for a noticeable drop, especially in the central and southern interior regions. While the Lowveld is likely to maintain slightly warmer conditions, areas such as the Cape provinces and high-lying inland zones may experience very cold weather.
The situation is worsened by increased wind speeds, particularly along the coastal areas, where gusts are expected to reach up to 35 km/h.
These conditions are prompting warnings about potential travel disruptions and the need for warmer clothing and safe travel practices.
Although no official warnings of snow have been issued, past cold fronts suggest that mountainous regions of the Western Cape and Northern Cape could experience light snowfall.
This cold front follows two previous ones in recent weeks. The South African Seasonal Climate Watch, issued in June 2025, indicated that the country is currently in a neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phase, which typically has limited influence during South Africa’s winter.
Nonetheless, above-normal rainfall is expected in the eastern coastal areas during this time, with minimum and maximum temperatures largely expected to remain above average, except in some southern coastal zones.
While the forecast suggests slightly warmer overall temperatures, the presence of cold air masses and persistent rain will result in cold and potentially uncomfortable conditions, especially for school children returning to classrooms this week.
Authorities urge the public to stay updated on official weather reports and take appropriate measures.
“The public should monitor local forecasts, dress warmly, and avoid unnecessary travel in heavy rain or strong winds,” SAWS advised.