South Africa’s Eastern provinces face a 30-60% chance of afternoon thunderstorms and the Highveld will likely have several afternoon thunderstorms over the the Christmas and New year period.
This is according to the SA Weather Services’ latest seasonal climate outlook for the 2025-2026 summer season from December to April. And Snow Report’s forecast today for the Eastern Cape today is cloudy and cool conditions with the wind varying from fresh easterly to strong north easterly this afternoon. Plus And there is a likelihood of scattered showers and thunder showers.
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has called for heightened vigilance as above-normal rainfall and thunderstorms are expected during this festive season. He says according to current weather forecasts, above-normal rainfall is expected across the central and eastern parts of South Africa, accompanied by warm to cool conditions across the country.
He welcomed the anticipated rainfall but warned of the risk of the risk of flooding, lightning, strong winds and poor visibility on roads. He urges communities, holidaymakers, and travellers to remain alert and take necessary safety precautions and to monitor weathers warnings. He also warns against crossing flooded roads, bridges, and low-lying areas.
“Secure homes, informal structures, and loose items that may be affected by strong rainfall and winds. Stay indoors where possible or exercise extra caution when travelling, particularly during thunderstorms. Keep children and other vulnerable loved ones away from swollen rivers, streams and open water, and promptly report weather-related emergencies to local disaster management centres,” Hlabisa said.
The SAWS weather forecast indicates a transition toward a weak La Niña state that is expected to influence rainfall and temperature patterns across the country. La Niña refers to a climate pattern where the waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become cooler than normal. This cooling changes global wind and weather patterns.
SAWS Senior Forecaster Jacqueline Modika in a media briefing in Pretoria said: “It typically brings above-normal summer rainfall to the north-eastern parts of South Africa such as Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, parts of the North West and Free State. Climate model predictions suggest an increased likelihood of above-normal rainfall over the central and eastern parts of South Africa, particularly in the north-eastern summer rainfall regions.”
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