Today’s Weather: Warning for Severe Thunderstorms, rain and thundershowers across most provinces – 6 September

A wet and unsettled start to spring greets much of South Africa today, with showers and thundershowers sweeping across Gauteng, the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and the Northern Cape, while Durban sees rain showers and Gqeberha battles a persistent drizzle. Cape Town is the standout exception, enjoying clear skies and a pleasant high of 27°C, though the rest of the country stays notably cooler with Johannesburg struggling to reach 15°C. Do keep an eye on the active warnings today, which include several minor damaging wind alerts, a moderate severe thunderstorm warning and extreme veld fire conditions, so take care whether you’re on the roads or out in the open.

🎬 7 Day Weather Forecast Video

⚠️ Weather Warnings

Damaging Winds (Warning Level 2), valid until 23:59 on 6 September.
Areas: Table Bay, Cape Point, Cape Agulhas 1, Hermanus.

• Small vessels at risk of taking on water and capsizing in locality.
• Build-up of sand on coastal routes
• Localised disruption of small harbours and port for short period of time
• Difficulty in navigation at sea (Hampered progress due to strong winds)

Small vessel operators should avoid going to sea and return to a safe harbour if already offshore. Keep vessels and personnel away from exposed harbour areas during peak conditions. Delay or cancel non-essential marine activities and voyages during periods of strong winds. Maintain safe speeds, allow additional time for travel, and avoid exposed coastal waters where conditions are hazardous. Avoid swimming, surfing, fishing, boating or other water activities when strong winds are present.

Veld Fire Conditions (Warning Level 10), valid until 23:59 on 8 September.
Areas: Vredendal.

• 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.

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.

Severe Thunderstorms (Warning Level 5), valid until 23:59 on 6 September.
Areas: Heidelberg, Westonaria, Standerton, Randfontein, Pretoria, Ermelo, Delmas.

• injuries and danger to livelihoods and livestock;
• damage or loss of infrastructure, settlements (formal and informal), property, vehicles;
• major travel disruptions (incl route obstructions) and incidents;
• disruption of municipal and other essential services (Education, health, communication and power supply);
• loss of agricultural production;
• flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, resulting in closure of some bridges and roads;

Load WeatherSmart APP, scroll to last page and use two fingers to navigate storm tracking application If possible stay indoors away from metal objects. Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects. Do not go fishing or play golf as both the golf clubs and fishing rods are a good conductor of electricity. Be aware that any combination of hail, strong winds and/or heavy downpours can accompany the storms.

Moon Phase

🌘 Moon phase: Waning Crescent: only a thin sliver remains before the next New Moon – the quietest tail of the cycle.

The Moon is about 33% illuminated tonight, on day 23.8 of its 29.5-day cycle. It rises at 03:38 and sets at 13:20 (SAST). Next full moon: Saturday 26 September · next new moon: Friday 11 September.

7 Day Weather Forecast by Province

From the Weather Community

Forecast data: South African Weather Service (weathersa.co.za). Tide times: tide-forecast.com; sea state and modelled tides for Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, East London, Port Nolloth: Open-Meteo Marine (those heights are relative to mean sea level).