Last updated: Tuesday 10 November 2026, 11:11 SAST – the warnings and advisories below were refreshed after SAWS issued a new high-level alert.
Updated Tuesday 10 November 2026, 05:31 SAST
Advertisement
Hot, dry weather sets the tone across the Free State for the next seven days. Bloemfontein climbs from 35C today to 36C tomorrow and a scorching 37C on Thursday under partly cloudy skies. Kroonstad runs even hotter, reaching 38C on Thursday, while Bethlehem sits at 31C to 33C and could see showers and thundershowers by Thursday. From Friday through Sunday, showers and thundershowers move over Bloemfontein, with highs easing to 32C on Saturday and 30C on Sunday. Monday brings clear skies again at 32C.
SAWS has veld fire warnings out for Mangaung around Bloemfontein Airport, Tswelopele near Hoopstad, Kopanong near Fauresmith and Masilonyana near Brandfort. Please avoid any burning or braai fires in the open veld, and keep water close by.
Warnings and Advisories for Free State
Red level 10
Veld Fire Conditions
Tswelopele / Tikwana/Hoopstad, Mangaung / Bloemfontein Airport, Kopanong / Fauresmith + 3 more · valid until 19:59 on 10 November
▼
Areas
Tswelopele / Tikwana/Hoopstad
Mangaung / Bloemfontein Airport
Kopanong / Fauresmith
Masilonyana / Winnie Mandela / Brandfort
Matjhabeng / Welkom
Moqhaka / Moqhaka / Kroonstad
Expected impacts
Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.
What to do ▼
All personnel and equipment should be removed from the field. Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on full stand-by. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time. All available aircraft are to be called for without delay.
Red level 10
Veld Fire Conditions
Walter Sisulu – Burgersdorp / Burgersdorp · from 10:00 on Wednesday 11 November, valid until 20:59 on 11 November
▼
Areas
Walter Sisulu – Burgersdorp / Burgersdorp
Expected impacts
Damage to property/settlements, loss of grazing land and possible loss of animal and/or human life.
What to do: Public is advised not to start any fires under these conditions.
At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.
1 item
Fire Danger Warnings
Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over most parts of the Northern Cape, southern parts of North West…
▼
Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over most parts of the Northern Cape, southern parts of North West, central and western parts of the Free State, as well as in places over the north-western parts of the Western Cape.
The 7-day forecast for Bloemfontein comes first, then 2 more towns across Free State.
Advertisement
7-Day Weather Forecast: Bloemfontein
Saffarazzi Weather
Free State 7-Day Weather Forecast
Bloemfontein35°/10°
35°/10°
Today · Mostly clear
Rain 0%
Wind SW 10 km/h
Feels 33°
Humidity 10-55%
UV High
Air quality Moderate (53)
Cloud 25%
Sun 05:14 – 18:42
SAWS outlook: Fine and warm to hot, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon over the central and eastern parts.
7-day forecast
Day
Conditions
High / Low
Rain
Wind
UV
Today
10 Nov
Mostly clear
35°/10°
0%
SW 10 km/h
High
Wed
11 Nov
Mostly clear
36°/15°
0%
NE 10 km/h
High
Thu
12 Nov
Partly cloudy
37°/16°
0%
NE 10 km/h
High
Fri
13 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
35°/16°
30%
NNE 10 km/h
High
Sat
14 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
32°/16°
30%
NNE 15 km/h
Moderate
Sun
15 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
30°/16°
30%
NNE 15 km/h
Moderate
Mon
16 Nov
Clear skies
32°/16°
11%
WNW 19 km/h
Very High
Around the province
Bethlehem31°/7° Partly cloudy · WSW 10 km/h
Kroonstad35°/12° Partly cloudy · SW 10 km/h
Tap a town below to open its 7-day forecast.
Saffarazzi Weather
Bethlehem 7-Day Weather Forecast
Bethlehem31°/7°
31°/7°
Today · Partly cloudy
Rain 0%
Wind WSW 10 km/h
Feels 29°
Humidity 20-85%
UV High
Air quality Moderate (53)
Cloud 50%
Sun 05:07 – 18:33
7-day forecast
Day
Conditions
High / Low
Rain
Wind
UV
Today
10 Nov
Partly cloudy
31°/7°
0%
WSW 10 km/h
High
Wed
11 Nov
Partly cloudy
33°/11°
0%
WSW 10 km/h
High
Thu
12 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
33°/13°
30%
ENE 10 km/h
High
Fri
13 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
33°/14°
30%
ESE 10 km/h
High
Sat
14 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
27°/14°
60%
ENE 10 km/h
Moderate
Sun
15 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
24°/13°
80%
NE 5 km/h
Moderate
Kroonstad next.
Saffarazzi Weather
Kroonstad 7-Day Weather Forecast
Kroonstad35°/12°
35°/12°
Today · Partly cloudy
Rain 0%
Wind SW 10 km/h
Feels 34°
Humidity 15-60%
UV High
Air quality Moderate (53)
Cloud 25%
Sun 05:13 – 18:36
7-day forecast
Day
Conditions
High / Low
Rain
Wind
UV
Today
10 Nov
Partly cloudy
35°/12°
0%
SW 10 km/h
High
Wed
11 Nov
Partly cloudy
37°/17°
0%
SW 10 km/h
High
Thu
12 Nov
Partly cloudy
38°/18°
0%
NNE 5 km/h
High
Fri
13 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
36°/19°
30%
NNW 5 km/h
High
Sat
14 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
33°/19°
60%
NNE 10 km/h
Moderate
Sun
15 Nov
Showers and Thundershowers
29°/16°
60%
NNE 10 km/h
Moderate
That is every town in Free State on our list.
How SAWS weather warning levels work
The South African Weather Service issues impact-based warnings. They say what the weather could do to people, roads and homes, not only how strong it will be. Each warning has a colour and a level from 1 to 10.
Yellow (Levels 1 to 4): minor to moderate impact. Local disruption such as flooded streets, travel delays or damage to informal homes. Stay alert.
Orange (Levels 5 to 8): significant impact. Major travel problems, power cuts, flooding in low-lying areas and damage to property are likely. Prepare and take action.
Red (Levels 9 and 10): severe impact. Widespread flooding, washed-away roads, damaged buildings and danger to life. Take emergency precautions at once.
The number also reflects how likely the impact is, so two warnings of the same colour can differ in how likely they are to happen. Always follow SAWS and your local disaster management.
Forecast data: South African Weather Service (weathersa.co.za) and various 3rd party providers and AI Tools.
Enjoyed this story? We need your help.
Add Saffarazzi as a preferred source. You’ll see more of our stories on Google, and you’ll help us grow.
