Gauteng braces for icy mornings as temperatures fall to sub-zero this week

The South African Weather Service has warned that residents across Gauteng should prepare for a sharp drop in temperatures this week, with freezing overnight conditions expected from Thursday as July begins.

Where the cold will bite

Southern parts of Gauteng are expected to see the coldest conditions, with minimum temperatures forecast to fall to 0°C or below before improving over the weekend.

Pretoria outlook

In Pretoria, overnight lows are forecast to be between 7°C and 10°C early in the week, then drop to about 0°C to 2°C from Thursday into the weekend. Daytime highs are expected to remain relatively mild, reaching the high teens.

Johannesburg outlook

Johannesburg faces a particularly cold spell. Minimum temperatures are forecast to fall from 7°C–9°C early in the week to around -2°C on Thursday and Friday, with many areas expected to see sub-zero early-morning temperatures. Maximum temperatures in the city will be about 16°C for most of the week, with Thursday likely the coldest day at a daytime high of 13°C.

Short-term recovery and wider spread

Conditions are expected to improve from Sunday, when temperatures across Gauteng are forecast to climb to around 21°C, although chilly mornings may persist despite warmer afternoons.

The cold air mass affecting Gauteng is also expected to bring a significant temperature drop to parts of the Free State and the Northern Cape from Thursday, producing freezing mornings in central South Africa.

What residents should note

The Weather Service has urged residents to prepare for the bitterly cold conditions as the week progresses. Freezing overnight temperatures are expected from Thursday, according to the forecast.