After a brutal cold front brought widespread snowfall and icy conditions last week, Gauteng residents in particular are bracing for a dramatic turnaround. Johannesburg could reach highs of around 27°C, while Pretoria may peak at 29°C, bringing the capital close to the 30°C mark. The warmer weather is expected to begin on Tuesday, 18 August, and persist for much of the week.
What's Behind the Warm-Up
The shift to warmer weather is being driven by a dominant surface high-pressure system settling across most of the country, ushering in fine, stable and warmer conditions. According to Vox Weather, an upper-air high-pressure system situated over Namibia will promote warmer and more stable conditions across the northern interior, helping to keep temperatures elevated for much of the week.
Independent forecaster known as the Weather Hooligan noted that strong sunshine, dry air and the positioning of pressure systems could allow temperatures to rise rapidly. He said the same broader circulation could help induce and enhance the heat across the Highveld, bringing a much warmer spell to Johannesburg and surrounding areas than would normally be expected for late August.
Day-by-Day Outlook
The South African Weather Service confirmed that temperatures across the central and eastern parts of the country are set to gradually climb, reaching 24°C to 28°C in many areas. The heat could turn up a notch over the northern parts of the Northern Cape, where temperatures may approach 30°C in places.
For Gauteng, the forecast is for fine and warm weather, with a high UVB sunburn index. Tuesday is expected to reach 26°C, with Thursday potentially hitting a high of 27°C.
Regional expectations:
- Mpumalanga and Limpopo: Fine and warm conditions
- North West: Fine and warm weather
- Free State: Fine and cool to warm
- Northern Cape: Fine and cool to warm, with high-level clouds in the south from the afternoon
- Western Cape: Cloudy along the coast with a chance of light rain in places; UVB index "very high"
- KwaZulu-Natal: Partly cloudy and cool to warm, with isolated evening showers in the south-east
Important Precautions
Despite the warm afternoons, residents should not mistake this for the end of winter. Mornings and evenings can still be considerably cooler, creating a substantial difference between overnight minimums and afternoon maximums.
The South African Weather Service has advised people to stay hydrated, wear light and comfortable clothing and take precautions against prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during the warmer parts of the day. Residents are particularly advised to:
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Wear light and comfortable clothing to stay cool
- Take precautions against prolonged sun exposure, as the UVB sunburn index is expected to be high
- Apply sunscreen and limit direct exposure during the hottest parts of the day
Saws forecaster Lehlogonolo Thobela said weather conditions seem to be calm for the week, though he warned that winter weather systems like a cold front cannot be ruled out entirely.
With reporting from The Citizen, TimesLIVE and Krugersdorp News.
