Gauteng records coldest night of 2026 as temperatures drop to near freezing

Gauteng endured the coldest night of 2026 on Thursday as temperatures across the province plunged to just above freezing, prompting warnings from emergency services and the national weather service.

Temperatures dip to near-freezing

The South African Weather Service had warned earlier in the week that a cold front would affect the province. In a post on X, Gauteng Weather reported that Johannesburg dropped to 3°C, Pretoria to 5°C and Vereeniging to 2°C during the night.

City emergency services on alert

The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) said it noted with concern the significant drop in temperatures in most parts of the city from Thursday into the weekend and that it would be on high alert.

Safety advice on heating

EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi warned residents to take care when using heating devices, saying such use makes people vulnerable to home fires. He urged caution with heaters, braziers and imbaula and said these appliances should not be left unattended.

“Residents using braizers are reminded to use them in a well-ventilated area, and to take them outside before going to bed. Heaters and candles must not be left unattended while in use. Also, monitor young children around heating devices to prevent burns and injuries,” Mulaudzi said.

The city’s EMS units will be monitoring all seven regions for emergencies. For life‑threatening emergencies residents were urged to call the Emergency Management Services Command and Control Centre on 011 375 5911.

Wider weather impacts and advisories

The weather service issued warnings for other parts of the country as cold and icy conditions moved through South Africa. A yellow level 2 warning was issued for disruptive snow and icy roads in the high-lying northeastern areas of the Eastern Cape, and a yellow level 4 warning for wind and waves affecting navigation and small vessels between Plettenberg Bay and East London.

The weather service also warned of very cold conditions in parts of the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape interior. In Gauteng, conditions were expected to be partly cloudy and cool to cold, with the region’s UVB sunburn index assessed as “high”.