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Gauteng and Pretoria brace for stormy Saturday before sunny Sunday
If you were planning a braai, a market run, or just a lazy coffee on the patio, you may want to keep one eye on the sky this Saturday. According to the South African Weather Service, Gauteng is in for a damp and stormy start to the weekend before things brighten up on Sunday.
It is classic Highveld weather. Thunderclouds one day, clear blue skies the next.
Pretoria: Stormy Saturday, warmer Sunday
In Pretoria, Saturday is shaping up to be unsettled from the early hours. Showers and thundershowers are forecast throughout the day, with humidity sitting high at around 70 percent in the early morning before easing to 45 percent by mid afternoon. By evening, moisture levels are expected to climb again.
Temperatures will begin at about 22°C in the early hours, inch up to 23°C by breakfast time, and peak at roughly 29°C during the afternoon heat. By 8pm, conditions should cool to around 23°C.
The overall forecast for the day suggests a minimum of 20°C and a maximum of 30°C, with around 10mm of rainfall possible and a 60 percent chance of rain. Winds are expected to remain fairly light, shifting direction through the day but staying at modest speeds.
Sunday, however, brings relief. The capital is forecast to see partly cloudy skies with no rainfall expected. Temperatures will start at 19°C and climb to a warm 32°C. It is the kind of weather that feels like a reset after a rumbling Saturday.
Johannesburg: Isolated storms before clearing
In Johannesburg, the pattern is similar but slightly milder in rainfall totals.
The city will wake to showers and thundershowers in the early morning hours on Saturday. By mid-afternoon, skies should turn partly cloudy, though evening storms are expected to return.
Humidity levels will hover between 75 and 80 percent early on, easing to around 60 percent later in the day. Temperatures will sit at 19°C overnight and in the morning, rise to about 25°C during the afternoon, and settle near 23°C by the evening.
Saturday’s overall outlook shows a minimum of 17°C and a maximum of 27°C, with roughly 3mm of rain forecast and a 30 percent chance of rainfall. Winds may pick up slightly in the afternoon before calming again in the evening.
Sunday looks far more promising. Partly cloudy skies are expected, with temperatures ranging from 17°C to a pleasant 29°C. No rainfall is forecast.
Weekend weather at a glance: Pretoria vs Johannesburg
Saturday
| City | Conditions | Min Temp | Max Temp | Rainfall | Rain Probability | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pretoria | Showers and thundershowers | 20°C | 30°C | 10mm | 60% | ±9.3km/h shifting directions |
| Johannesburg | Showers and thundershowers | 17°C | 27°C | 3mm | 30% | 9.3km/h rising to 18.5km/h |
Sunday
| City | Conditions | Min Temp | Max Temp | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pretoria | Partly cloudy | 19°C | 32°C | None |
| Johannesburg | Partly cloudy | 17°C | 29°C | None |
What it means for your weekend plans
For many Joburg and Pretoria residents, weekend weather sets the mood. Saturday’s storms could affect outdoor events, sport fixtures, and social plans. Thunder rolling across the Highveld often changes weekend plans, especially for outdoor events.
But there is a silver lining. The quick turnaround to sunny and dry conditions on Sunday means outdoor plans do not need to be scrapped entirely. Sunday lunch gatherings, park visits, and family outings should be safe bets under partly cloudy skies.
It is another reminder of Gauteng’s famously unpredictable weather. One day soaked in thunder, the next basking in sunshine. If nothing else, it keeps life interesting.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: Freepik
