No “Storm Baron” on the Radar: SA Weather Service Sets the Record Straight

If your WhatsApp groups have been buzzing with warnings about a mysterious “Storm Baron” set to batter South Africa, you’re not alone. Over the past few days, dramatic voice notes, graphics and forwarded messages have spread fast and sparked real anxiety.

But according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), South Africans can breathe a little easier: Storm Baron does not exist.

How the Rumour Took Hold

The claim that a powerful storm named Baron would hit southern Africa from 10 January and linger for days gained serious traction online. For many people, already rattled by recent floods and extreme weather, the messages felt believable and urgent.

Social media reactions ranged from panic-buying essentials to parents questioning whether schools should even reopen. Some users shared warnings “just in case”, while others openly questioned the credibility of the information.

That uncertainty is exactly what SAWS stepped in to address.

SAWS: “This Is a Hoax”

In a clear and firm statement, SAWS said the viral reports were false and should be treated as misinformation.

“There is no officially recognised storm or cyclone named Baron,” the weather service confirmed.

SAWS added that there is currently no tropical cyclone activity over the south-western Indian Ocean, a key detail often missing from viral posts that use dramatic language but no scientific backing.

The Real Weather Story: What Is Coming

While the storm itself is fake, SAWS did stress that there is a real weather system worth watching.

An intense low-pressure system is expected to develop over the southern parts of Mozambique in the coming days. Forecasts suggest it could move southwards, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms to parts of South Africa from Saturday, 10 January, through to Thursday, 15 January 2026.

Areas to Keep an Eye On

According to SAWS, the regions most likely to feel the impact include:

• Limpopo’s escarpment and Lowveld areas

• Mpumalanga

• North-eastern KwaZulu-Natal

However and this is crucial,  meteorologists say there is still significant uncertainty around the system’s exact path.

Why the Forecast Isn’t Set in Stone

Weather modelling doesn’t always tell one neat story. SAWS explained that while some prediction models keep the core of the system east of South Africa (over southern Mozambique), others show it tracking closer to home.

If the system stays further east, rainfall will likely be moderate. If it shifts closer, very heavy rainfall could occur in some areas,  potentially amounting to several hundred millimetres in isolated regions.

This uncertainty is why official updates matter more than viral forwards.

A Familiar Problem in the Age of WhatsApp Weather

South Africans are no strangers to weather misinformation. Every summer seems to bring a new “named storm” that meteorologists have never heard of. The problem? These hoaxes can cause unnecessary fear or worse, desensitise people to real warnings when they actually matter.

SAWS has urged the public to:

• Follow official forecasts and alerts

• Be cautious of unverified sources

• Avoid sharing dramatic weather claims unless they come from trusted authorities

There is no Storm Baron heading for South Africa. What is on the radar is a developing weather system near Mozambique that could bring rain and storms to parts of the country, something SAWS is actively monitoring.

In a season where weather can turn quickly, staying informed is essential. Just make sure the information you’re trusting and sharing, comes from the experts, not your cousin’s friend’s neighbour’s voice note.

{Source: The Citizen}

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