A Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours, hail, lightning and damaging winds covers most of KwaZulu-Natal, except the north, from 10:00 until 23:59. Musina is the hottest place at 35°C, with Mthatha, Richards Bay and Upington on 34°C, while Pietermaritzburg has the best chance of rain at 60%. Damaging winds hit the Central Karoo from 11:00 to 16:59, and much of the Northern Cape faces a Level 10 veld fire warning.
Weather warnings for Wednesday 14 October
SAWS has 3 weather warnings in force for Wednesday, the highest warning level 10 for veld fire conditions. Tap a warning to see the areas and what to do.
Red level 10
Veld Fire Conditions
WherePrieska, Augrabies Falls, Victoria West, Noupoort + 12 more
Areas: Prieska, Augrabies Falls, Victoria West, Noupoort, Twee Rivieren, VanWyksvlei, Thohoyandou, Musina, Alldays, Prince Albert, Calvinia, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Sutherland, Oudtshoorn, Laingsburg.
- 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.
Yellow level 2
Severe Thunderstorms
WhereEscourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Underberg + 27 more
Areas: Escourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Underberg, King Shaka Airport, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook, Goodhom, Stanger, Mandini, Maphumulo, Camperdown, Giants Castle, Mooi River, Pomeroy, Ndwedwe, Nkandla, Royal National Park, Margate, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg, Ixopo, Pennington, Eshowe, Howick, New Hanover, Harding, Greytown, Umzimkhulu and 1 more.
- Localised damage to infrastructure and settlements.
- Localised flooding of susceptible roads and bridges.
- Minor motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility.
- Difficult driving conditions on dirt and slippery roads.
- Large amounts of small hail/ large hail over an open area.
- Localised fire incidents.
What to do: Take caution or avoid traveling on bridges and roads in low lying areas as these may be susceptible to flooding and there may be sinkholes. Avoid outdoor activities as lightning, hail and flooding may result in injuries and death. If possible, stay indoors well clear of windows, shelter pets, and cover vehicles. Move livestock and cars to safe sheltered areas as there may be flying debris.
Yellow level 1
Damaging Winds
WherePrince Albert, Beaufort West, Sutherland, Laingsburg
Areas: Prince Albert, Beaufort West, Sutherland, Laingsburg.
- Localised damage to settlement (both informal and formal) and temporary structures.
- Localised problems for high sides vehicles on prone roads (due to crosswinds on exposed high level roads/bridges).
- Some transport routes and travel services affected by wind.
What to do: The public is advised to secure loose objects and structures, roof sheets, signage and outdoor furniture. (e.g. closing of windows, covering of sand, Watering of the dampening of sand). Exercise caution when driving, particularly on routes prone to crosswinds. Stay away from flying debris that may pose danger. Monitor the latest SAWS warnings and follow instructions from local authorities.
SAWS advisory
- Yellow Level 2 Warning: Severe Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and lightning, resulting in localised flooding and damage to infrastructure and settlements, are expected over most parts of KwaZulu-Natal, except in the north.
- Yellow Level 1 Warning: Damaging Interior Winds leading to localised problems for high-sided vehicles on prone routes and localised damage to temporary structures are expected over Karoo Hoogland local municipality in the Northern Cape and the Central Karoo district municipality in the Western Cape.
SAWS advisory
- Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over the central parts of Northern Cape, north-eastern parts of the western cape, north-western parts of the Eastern Cape, as well as the northern parts of Limpopo.
SAWS advisory
- A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in the north-western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, until Thursday (15/10/2026).
Moon tonight
Waxing Crescent
16% litThe moon tonight is a waxing crescent, about 16% lit, and the next full moon is on Monday 26 October.
Weather today by province, Wednesday 14 October
View 5-Day Weather Forecast
Each province lists its main towns with today’s sky, low and high, rain chance and wind; every province starts closed, tap one to open it. Tide times are inside Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Today Johannesburg peaks at 28°C.
Gauteng
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Vereeniging
A dry, partly cloudy day with no rain expected. Pretoria peaks at 30°C after a 16°C start, Vereeniging reaches 29°C, and Johannesburg and Soweto top out at 28°C.
Johannesburg today
Partly cloudy28°12°0%ENE 5 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Gauteng
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Johannesburg | Partly cloudy | 12° | 28° | 0% | ENE 5 |
| Pretoria | Partly cloudy | 16° | 30° | 0% | E 10 |
| Soweto | Partly cloudy | 13° | 28° | 0% | ENE 5 |
| Vereeniging | Partly cloudy | 12° | 29° | 0% | NE 5 |
Western Cape
Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, George · tides
Damaging winds blow through Prince Albert, Beaufort West and Laingsburg from 11:00 to 16:59. Elsewhere it is dry under high cloud, with Paarl and George at 26°C and Cape Town at 20°C.
Cape Town today
High cloud20°11°0%NW 15 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Western Cape
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Cape Town | High cloud | 11° | 20° | 0% | NW 15 |
| Stellenbosch | High cloud | 8° | 23° | 0% | NW 10 |
| Paarl | High cloud | 9° | 26° | 0% | WNW 10 |
| George | High cloud | 12° | 26° | 0% | SSW 10 |
Tides: Cape Town
| Day | Low tide | High tide |
|---|
| Wed 14 Oct | 10:49, 23:10 | 04:55, 17:02 |
Mpumalanga and Limpopo next today: Mbombela reaches 29°C and Polokwane reaches 29°C.
Mpumalanga
Mbombela, eMalahleni, Ermelo
Drizzle in Mbombela brings a 30% chance of rain and a high of 29°C. Ermelo has fog and 28°C, while eMalahleni is partly cloudy at 28°C.
Mbombela today
Drizzle29°14°30%NE 10 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Mpumalanga
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Mbombela | Drizzle | 14° | 29° | 30% | NE 10 |
| eMalahleni | Partly cloudy | 14° | 28° | 0% | ENE 5 |
| Ermelo | Fog | 12° | 28° | 0% | WNW 5 |
Limpopo
Polokwane, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou, Musina
Fire danger is extremely high in the north, where Musina reaches 35°C. Thohoyandou hits 31°C, Polokwane 29°C and foggy Tzaneen 29°C, with no rain expected.
Polokwane today
Partly cloudy29°14°0%ENE 10 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Limpopo
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Polokwane | Partly cloudy | 14° | 29° | 0% | ENE 10 |
| Tzaneen | Fog | 14° | 29° | 0% | E 10 |
| Thohoyandou | Partly cloudy | 16° | 31° | 0% | SE 5 |
| Musina | Partly cloudy | 17° | 35° | 0% | ESE 15 |
North West and Free State follow today: Mahikeng reaches 31°C and Bloemfontein reaches 29°C.
North West
Mahikeng, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp
Showers and thundershowers are possible, with a 30% chance of rain. Rustenburg is the warmest at 32°C, Mahikeng reaches 31°C, and Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp 30°C.
Mahikeng today
Rain, storms31°17°30%NNW 10 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close North West
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Mahikeng | Rain, storms | 17° | 31° | 30% | NNW 10 |
| Rustenburg | Rain, storms | 18° | 32° | 30% | ESE 5 |
| Potchefstroom | Rain, storms | 16° | 30° | 30% | NW 10 |
| Klerksdorp | Rain, storms | 16° | 30° | 30% | NW 5 |
Free State
Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, Kroonstad
Showers and thundershowers bring a 30% chance of rain. Kroonstad peaks at 31°C, Bloemfontein at 29°C after a 13°C morning and Bethlehem at 28°C.
Bloemfontein today
Rain, storms29°13°30%NW 10 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Free State
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Bloemfontein | Rain, storms | 13° | 29° | 30% | NW 10 |
| Bethlehem | Rain, storms | 13° | 28° | 30% | WNW 10 |
| Kroonstad | Rain, storms | 16° | 31° | 30% | ENE 5 |
Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal close the list today: Kimberley reaches 31°C, Gqeberha reaches 26°C and Durban reaches 27°C.
Northern Cape
Kimberley, Upington, Springbok, De Aar · tides
A Level 10 veld fire warning covers Prieska, Augrabies Falls, Victoria West, Noupoort, Twee Rivieren and Vanwyksvlei from 08:00 to 19:59, and Sutherland faces damaging winds from 11:00. Upington hits 34°C, Kimberley 31°C.
Kimberley today
Rain, storms31°15°30%NW 10 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Northern Cape
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Kimberley | Rain, storms | 15° | 31° | 30% | NW 10 |
| Upington | Partly cloudy | 19° | 34° | 0% | NW 15 |
| Springbok | Clear | 13° | 27° | 0% | WNW 15 |
| De Aar | Rain, storms | 14° | 30° | 30% | NW 15 |
Tides: Port Nolloth (modelled)
| Day | Low tide | High tide |
|---|
| Wed 14 Oct | 10:09, 22:30 | 04:16, 16:26 |
Eastern Cape
Gqeberha, East London, Mthatha, Queenstown · tides
Thunderstorms for Mthatha (34°C) and Queenstown (28°C), with a 30% chance of rain. Gqeberha and East London stay cloudy and dry at 26°C and 28°C; fire danger is extremely high in the north-west.
Gqeberha today
Cloudy26°15°0%WSW 15 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close Eastern Cape
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Gqeberha | Cloudy | 15° | 26° | 0% | WSW 15 |
| East London | Cloudy | 16° | 28° | 0% | ENE 15 |
| Mthatha | Thunderstorms | 14° | 34° | 30% | N 5 |
| Queenstown | Thunderstorms | 12° | 28° | 30% | WNW 15 |
Tides: Gqeberha
| Day | Low tide | High tide |
|---|
| Wed 14 Oct | 11:01, 23:23 | 05:07, 17:17 |
Tides: East London
| Day | Low tide | High tide |
|---|
| Wed 14 Oct | 11:04, 23:24 | 05:04, 17:13 |
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Newcastle · tides
Level 2 severe thunderstorms from 10:00 to 23:59 for Ladysmith, Estcourt, Ekuvukeni, Underberg, Kokstad and King Shaka Airport. Pietermaritzburg has a 60% rain chance at 30°C, while dry Richards Bay hits 34°C.
Durban today
Rain, storms27°21°30%ENE 10 km/h Tap for every town todayTap to close KwaZulu-Natal
Towns today
| Town | Weather | Lo | Hi | Rain | Wind km/h |
|---|
| Durban | Rain, storms | 21° | 27° | 30% | ENE 10 |
| Pietermaritzburg | Rain, storms | 17° | 30° | 60% | NW 5 |
| Richards Bay | Cloudy | 21° | 34° | 0% | N 10 |
| Newcastle | Rain, storms | 16° | 32° | 30% | NNW 5 |
Tides: Durban
| Day | Low tide | High tide |
|---|
| Wed 14 Oct | 11:06, 23:27 | 05:05, 17:15 |
View the 5-Day Weather Forecast
Forecast data: the South African Weather Service and other third-party sources and providers, brought together with the latest AI tools. We take great care to get every figure right, but mistakes are possible.
More weather news, warnings and forecasts are on The South African’s weather page.