How to prepare for the cold front: South Africa braces for severe weather
A strong cold front is forecast to move across parts of South Africa from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures, heavy rain, and hazardous conditions.
The South African Weather Services (Saws) warns that the severe weather, driven by a steep upper air trough and a strong ridging high-pressure system, may include strong winds, abnormal sea waves, and even rare snowfall in KZN's high-lying areas.
As the country braces for a powerful cold front, it's essential to take early precautions to stay safe and minimise disruption. Cold fronts can bring sudden temperature drops, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and in some areas, even snow and rough seas.
"Cold fronts of this nature can be particularly disruptive, especially when accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds," said Saws. "It is important that residents take warnings seriously and prepare accordingly."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Get your blankets out: Double cold snap to hit Gauteng this week
Gauteng residents have been urged to double their blankets ahead of a double cold front expected to hit the province... Gauteng residents have been urged to double their blankets ahead of a double cold front expected to hit the province this week. Temperatures in Gauteng are expected to drop close to the freezing mark as the cold weather grips most parts of the country. Freezing weather Gauteng Weather has forecast the mercury for Johannesburg on Friday to drop to 0°C, reaching a high of 14°C. Pretoria is forecast to have a temperature of 2°C, with a high of 16°C. The cold weather is possibly the last breath of winter as the country moves to warmer temperatures. Emergencies The drop in temperatures means that residents throughout the City of Johannesburg will be forced to use all sorts of heating devices to try to warm themselves. This can make them vulnerable to fire incidents at home if heating devices are used unsafely or unattended. Residents have been urged to use all heating devices safely, including heaters, braziers, paraffin stoves and candles, and not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during the extremely cold weather. ALSO READ: Winter wonderland: Snow in parts of SA – will Gauteng be covered in white? Weather across SA Meanwhile, the South African Weather Services (Saws) expects isolated showers along the east coast and the northeastern parts of the country. Possible damaging winds and waves are anticipated along the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). There is also a forecast for extremely high fire danger conditions in the Nama Khoi municipality of the Namakwa district in the Northern Cape. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather service forecasts partly cloudy conditions over the central and western parts of the country, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers. Load shedding While the cold weather sweeps across Johannesburg and the country, South Africans are relieved that there was no load shedding during winter. In May, Eskom said it would have more than 2.5GW of power this winter and could avoid load shedding altogether if unplanned breakdowns remain below 13GW. Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said there would be more power available this year to combat winter. ALSO READ: WMO's new climate forecast warns Earth is getting hotter and hotter
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Zondo blasts Ramaphosa
Here's your daily news update for Sunday, 27 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes a police captain who killed his girlfriend and brother before turning the gun on himself in a double murder and suicide in Protea. Meanwhile, the City of Joburg council no longer has jurisdiction over former transport MMC Kenny Kunene, now that he has resigned, and that it has become a 'police matter', mayor Dada Morero says. Furthermore, The Citizen had the opportunity to have a look around the Gupta compound in Saxonwold. This was ahead of an auction taking place to sell the three properties. Weather tomorrow: 28 July 2025 The South African Weather Service (Saws) expects isolated showers along the east coast and the northeastern parts of the country. Possible damaging winds and waves are anticipated along the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in the Nama Khoi municipality of the Namakwa district in the Northern Cape. Full weather forecast Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Police captain kills girlfriend, her brother, then himself in double murder and suicide A police captain killed his girlfriend and brother before turning the gun on himself in a double murder and suicide in Protea. Three others were injured in the shooting on Saturday night. Picture: iStock Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a police captain's girlfriend, who was also a SA Police Service officer, was shot at their home. CONTINUE READING: Police captain kills girlfriend, her brother then himself in double murder and suicide Joburg council has 'no jurisdiction over Kenny Kunene, it's a police matter,' Morero says [VIDEO] The City of Joburg council no longer has jurisdiction over former transport MMC Kenny Kunene, now that he has resigned, and that it has become a 'police matter', mayor Dada Morero says. Former MMC of transport, Kenny Kunene during the War On Potholes campaign launch at Ward 90, Hyde Park on 10 July 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo The suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president resigned as a councillor in the city of Johannesburg with immediate effect on Saturday. CONTINUE READING: Joburg council has 'no jurisdiction over Kenny Kunene, it's a police matter,' Morero says [VIDEO] Video: A tour inside the Gupta compound The Citizen had the opportunity to have a look around the Gupta compound in Saxonwold. This was ahead of an auction taking place to sell the three properties. A view of number 5 Saxonwold Drive, part of the Gupta compound, seen on 24 July 2025. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Number 3 Saxonwold Drive was the most rundown property of the three, and it was the only one to sell. Numbers 5 and 7 did not sell during the auction by Park Village Auctioneers. CONTINUE READING: Video: A tour inside the Gupta compound DA demands urgent action on illegal street racing in Joburg suburbs Joburg residents are up in arms over illegal racing in several suburbs, including Lenasia, Rosebank, Fourways and Midrand, among other areas, which they say have become a nuisance and dangerous. Joburg residents are up in arms over illegal drag racing in several suburbs. Picture: iStock The DA said that, due to the brazen antics of the drag racers, innocent lives in Johannesburg's suburbs are being put at risk in the 'reckless and illegal practice of street racing.' CONTINUE READING: DA demands urgent action on illegal street racing in Joburg suburbs Breakfast with the Aquarist: Dive into marine magic at the Johannesburg Zoo The Johannesburg Zoo's special 'Breakfast with the Zoo Aquarist' programme offered visitors an extraordinary behind-the-scenes glimpse into the aquatic world on Saturday. Joburg Zoo aquarist Peter Baloi is seen scuba diving in the zoo's walk-through tunnel tank, 26 June 2025, during an event inviting youngsters to find out what a career as an aquarist would involve. The presentations hoped to inspire attendees to consider careers in marine biology, zoology and diving. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Guests joined the zoo's aquarist team for an educational morning that combined a delicious breakfast with fascinating insights into marine biology, zoology and diving careers. CONTINUE READING: Breakfast with the Aquarist: Dive into marine magic at the Johannesburg Zoo Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Kenny Kunene resigns | Basotho military-style training camps | Leaked Bushiri case affidavit
The South African
20 hours ago
- The South African
Weather update: Cold weather to grapple Gauteng and three other provinces
Gauteng, the North West, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo will experience freezing temperatures as cold air is expected to move across the country starting Monday. According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), most areas in the province will remain clear initially, but significant changes are anticipated from midweek. Cool and sunny conditions are expected in many northern locations throughout the week. In Pretoria, Monday will bring cooler weather, with a minimum temperature of 4°C and a high of 15°C with clear sunny conditions. In Johannesburg, temperatures will drop to a low of 3°C, rising to 13°C by midday before cooling again in the evening. On Tuesday, temperatures are expected to rise slightly, reaching a maximum of 14°C in Johannesburg with no rainfall predicted. From Wednesday onward, temperatures in Gauteng are expected to improve, potentially signalling the end of winter as we approach August. Fine weather will continue in the northern parts of the country next week, including Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where it will remain warm. The SA Weather Service encourages the public to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings as conditions evolve throughout the week. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
