Is Winter Finally Ending? SA Weather Service Prepares for Spring

As August winds down, many South Africans are asking: is winter finally over? The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says the official end of winter is 31 August, with spring starting on 1 September and running until 30 November.

Forecaster Tokelo Chiloane explains that spring is not just warmer, it’s a season that brings its own set of challenges.

Wind, Dry Spells, and Fire Risk

“Spring is typically dry and windy,” Chiloane said. “We also see heatwaves in mid- to late-spring, which raises the risk of veld fires, especially in regions that have received low rainfall.”

The combination of dry air and gusty winds also affects health, increasing respiratory irritation and allergies, a fact that often prompts social media discussions among parents, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. In recent days, Twitter and Facebook have been filled with memes and warnings about windy afternoons and smoke from veld fires, highlighting how South Africans experience weather beyond just temperature.

Coastal Chills Remain

Not everyone will feel the full warmth of spring immediately. “Cold fronts weaken in the north, but the southern parts of the country, like the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, will still see occasional chilly spells,” Chiloane noted. These coastal provinces may experience minor cold snaps, though nothing as intense as peak winter.

Too Early to Compare Winters

Despite fluctuations in temperature, SAWS cautions against drawing conclusions about the 2025 winter just yet. “We’ll only be able to compare this winter to previous years after collecting all observations at the season’s end,” Chiloane said.

Until then, South Africans can expect warmer afternoons, gusty winds, and fire warnings, a combination that calls for vigilance in both rural and urban areas. Spring may be a welcome break from winter, but it comes with its own set of weather realities.

{Source: The Citizen}

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