South Africa braces for a scorcher: Hot and dry Thursday ahead with showers in the south-west

South Africa Braces for a Scorcher

Heatwave conditions grip inland provinces while the south-west braces for rain

If you’ve been planning to leave your jacket at home today, you’re right on the money Thursday is bringing the heat across South Africa, with most provinces set for another day of hot, dry, and sunny conditions.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has forecast very hot temperatures in parts of the Northern Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape interior, while the south-western parts of the country can expect a shift to cooler, cloudier weather with isolated showers later in the day.

Morning calm, afternoon fire

The day began mild across much of the country, but as the sun climbs higher, temperatures are expected to rise rapidly, especially inland.

By the afternoon, Upington will bake at a searing 34°C, while Bloemfontein and East London’s inland areas will hover around the 29°C to 35°C mark. Johannesburg and Pretoria are looking at more comfortable highs of 27°C and 28°C, perfect for an early spring lunch outdoors but don’t expect much breeze to take the edge off the heat.

In contrast, Cape Town is gearing up for a partly cloudy day with light showers developing over the south-western interior. The city will peak at a cooler 22°C, offering some relief from the country’s widespread warmth.

Coast to coast: humidity vs. heat

On the east coast, Durban will be hot and humid, hitting 29°C, while Gqeberha will see sunshine early on before clouds roll in later, reaching 27°C. Polokwane remains pleasantly warm at 27°C, ideal for those looking to avoid the coastal humidity or the inland heatwave.

However, the combination of heat and dryness across inland regions has prompted reminders about heat safety including staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor exertion during peak hours, and checking on vulnerable people and pets.

A taste of summer, before a cool change

Today’s conditions mark one of the hottest stretches of early summer so far, particularly for provinces like the Northern Cape, where triple-digit (°F) temperatures have become the norm in recent weeks.

Weather models show that this heat surge will start easing slightly by Friday, with cooler, wetter air moving into the south-west and spreading eastward through the weekend.

So, if you’re feeling the heat hold tight. Relief is on the way.

City-by-City Snapshot

• Pretoria: Sunny and hot – High 28°C / Low 13°C

• Johannesburg: Clear and warm – High 27°C / Low 11°C

• Cape Town: Partly cloudy with light showers – High 22°C / Low 17°C

• Durban: Hot and humid – High 29°C / Low 16°C

• Bloemfontein: Dry and very warm – High 29°C / Low 10°C

• Polokwane: Fine and warm – High 27°C / Low 9°C

• Upington: Extremely hot and dry – High 34°C / Low 21°C

• Gqeberha: Fine early, cloudy later – High 27°C / Low 17°C

• East London: Very hot inland – High 35°C / Low 20°C

Public reaction: “Summer came early”

South Africans on social media are already joking that summer has arrived ahead of schedule, with some users sharing memes about air conditioners “earning their keep” and office workers hiding under fans.

As one X (formerly Twitter) user posted:

“I’m not sure if it’s spring or the prequel to summer, either way, Joburg’s sun is personal today ☀️😂.”

With temperatures soaring inland and light rain in the Cape, it’s shaping up to be one of those classic South African days, a little bit of everything, depending on where you are.

So, grab your water bottle, apply sunscreen, and if you’re in the Western Cape, maybe pack an umbrella, Mzansi’s weather is in full swing.

{Source: IOL}

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