As we step into May, South Africa is gearing up for a dynamic day of weather across its provinces. Today’s weather forecast indicates a mixture of sunny spells, fluctuating temperatures, and potential severe warnings, particularly in regions such as Gauteng and the eastern Free State. Residents should prepare for a variety of conditions, with warmer temperatures in the North and East versus cooler, windy weather in the South. Below is a detailed breakdown of the weather expected across each province.
Gauteng Weather
In Gauteng, the day begins with mild temperatures ranging from 14°C in the early morning to a pleasant 27°C by noon in Pretoria, showcasing the warmer end of the spectrum. Johannesburg’s weather features highs of around 23°C in the afternoon, dropping to 14°C later in the evening. However, residents should be alert for yellow level 2 warnings concerning severe thunderstorms, which could bring hail and heavy rainfall, particularly impacting the eastern parts of the province. Major cities like Soweto and Centurion can also expect similar temperature patterns, with highs of 24°C.
Western Cape Weather
Cape Town weather today will see sun-kissed mornings with temperatures around 18°C, rising to a lovely 27°C in the afternoon. The evening will cool off, leading to a comfortable 22°C under the stars. Other notable spots like Stellenbosch and George will experience similar conditions, warm and sunny throughout the day — perfect for outdoor activities. However, residents should be aware of the cold, wet, and windy conditions affecting the southern Namakwa District and parts of the Cape Winelands, where strong winds may disrupt activities.
KwaZulu-Natal Weather
Moving to KwaZulu-Natal, the coastal city of Durban will bask in sunshine with temperatures starting at 22°C and peaking at around 28°C by midday. As the sun sets, it will cool slightly to 24°C. Pietermaritzburg and Richards Bay will share similar weather patterns, making this a fantastic day for beach and outdoor activities, although humidity may feel higher along the coast.
Eastern Cape Weather
In the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth can also look forward to a bright sunny day beginning at 19°C and reaching 26°C. The evening brings a drop in temperature to 22°C as twilight descends. Similarly, East London and Mthatha will enjoy comfortable temperatures with sun-drenched skies throughout the day.
Free State Weather
The Free State is set for a cooler day, with Bloemfontein starting at just 8°C, maxing out at a warm 17°C by midday. The shifting temperatures in areas like Welkom and Bethlehem are slightly higher, but nightfall will bring a cool touch to the air, with evening temperatures dropping significantly. It’s advisable to layer up if you’re heading out, particularly in the evening.
Limpopo Weather
Traveling north to Limpopo, Polokwane will experience a delightful day, kicking off at 15°C and hitting highs of 27°C. Thohoyandou will follow suit, becoming pleasantly warm, making it an ideal day for outdoor excursions. Evening temperatures will cool down to around 20°C.
Mpumalanga Weather
Mpumalanga’s Mbombela anticipates an extremely warm day with an expected high of 32°C, making it one of the hottest spots in the country today. Secunda will also be warm but slightly cooler, reaching 31°C. Late-night temperatures will drop to 24°C and 23°C, respectively, making the evenings quite pleasant.
North West Weather
In North West province, Mahikeng will see temperatures beginning at 14°C and warming to about 25°C by noon. Rustenburg follows the trend, while evening temperatures taper down to around 20°C.
Northern Cape Weather
Finally, the Northern Cape will start out with cooler mornings, especially in Kimberley (10°C), with temperatures reaching 20°C later in the day. Upington should be slightly warmer but overall a nice day for outdoor activities as it warms to 22°C. With an eye on the weather, be aware that the Southern Namakwa District may experience difficult weather conditions today.
Detailed Weather Forecast for South Africa on Thursday, May 1, 2025
Gauteng Province Hourly Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 09:00 | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 | 21:00 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Johannesburg | 14°C ⛅ | 18°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Pretoria | 16°C ⛅ | 20°C ☀️ | 27°C ☀️ | 25°C ☀️ | 20°C ⛅ | 15°C ☁️ |
Soweto | 15°C ⛅ | 19°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Benoni | 14°C ⛅ | 18°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Centurion | 15°C ⛅ | 19°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Midrand | 14°C ⛅ | 18°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Alberton | 15°C ⛅ | 19°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Germiston | 14°C ⛅ | 18°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Vanderbijlpark | 15°C ⛅ | 19°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Krugersdorp | 14°C ⛅ | 18°C ☀️ | 23°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ | 19°C ⛅ | 14°C ☁️ |
Western Cape Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Cape Town | 18°C ☀️ | 27°C ☀️ | 22°C 🌙 |
Stellenbosch | 17°C ☀️ | 28°C ☀️ | 21°C 🌙 |
George | 15°C ☀️ | 26°C ☀️ | 20°C 🌙 |
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Durban | 22°C ☀️ | 28°C ☀️ | 24°C 🌙 |
Pietermaritzburg | 18°C ☀️ | 25°C ☀️ | 20°C 🌙 |
Richards Bay | 20°C ☀️ | 27°C ☀️ | 23°C 🌙 |
Eastern Cape Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Port Elizabeth | 19°C ☀️ | 26°C ☀️ | 22°C 🌙 |
East London | 18°C ☀️ | 25°C ☀️ | 21°C 🌙 |
Mthatha | 17°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 20°C 🌙 |
Free State Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Bloemfontein | 8°C ☁️ | 17°C ☀️ | 14°C 🌙 |
Welkom | 12°C ☀️ | 21°C ☀️ | 18°C 🌙 |
Bethlehem | 9°C ☁️ | 18°C ☀️ | 15°C 🌙 |
Limpopo Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Polokwane | 15°C ☀️ | 27°C ☀️ | 20°C 🌙 |
Thohoyandou | 16°C ☀️ | 28°C ☀️ | 22°C 🌙 |
Lephalale | 17°C ☀️ | 29°C ☀️ | 23°C 🌙 |
Mpumalanga Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Mbombela | 15°C ☀️ | 32°C ☀️ | 24°C 🌙 |
Secunda | 14°C ☀️ | 31°C ☀️ | 23°C 🌙 |
Emalahleni | 14°C ☀️ | 30°C ☀️ | 22°C 🌙 |
North West Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Mahikeng | 14°C ☀️ | 25°C ☀️ | 20°C 🌙 |
Rustenburg | 15°C ☀️ | 26°C ☀️ | 21°C 🌙 |
Klerksdorp | 12°C ☀️ | 24°C ☀️ | 19°C 🌙 |
Northern Cape Provincial Forecast
Location | 06:00 | 12:00 | 18:00 |
---|---|---|---|
Kimberley | 10°C ☁️ | 20°C ☀️ | 15°C 🌙 |
Upington | 12°C ☀️ | 22°C ☀️ | 17°C 🌙 |
Springbok | 11°C ☀️ | 21°C ☀️ | 16°C 🌙 |
Notes on Weather Conditions:
- Severe Thunderstorms and Hail: Yellow level 2 warnings have been issued for severe thunderstorms leading to large amounts of small hail over the eastern parts of the North West, extreme eastern parts of the Free State, Gauteng, and the south and central parts of Mpumalanga.
- Damaging Winds and Waves: Yellow level 2 warnings have been issued for damaging winds and waves resulting in difficulty in navigation, small vessels taking on water, and capsizing along the coast between Plettenberg Bay and Port Edward.
- Very Cold, Wet, and Windy Conditions: Expected over the southern Namakwa District of the Northern Cape, Cape Winelands, and Central and Little Karoo municipalities of the Western Cape until Friday.
In conclusion, today’s weather forecast for South Africa showcases a diverse range of climatic conditions across provinces. Whether you’re enjoying the sunshine in Cape Town or navigating the storms in Gauteng, be prepared for varying climates and weather-related advisories. As always, make sure to stay hydrated, dress appropriately for the fluctuating temperatures, and be cautious in regions under severe weather alerts. Embrace the beautiful and unpredictable South African skies today! For more updates, please visit the South African Weather Service and X.com/SAWeatherService.