WEATHER TODAY: Severe storms and hail for Ladysmith and Underberg, 35°C in Musina

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A Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours, hail, lightning and damaging winds covers most of KwaZulu-Natal, except the north, from 10:00 until 23:59. Musina is the hottest place at 35°C, with Mthatha, Richards Bay and Upington on 34°C, while Pietermaritzburg has the best chance of rain at 60%. Damaging winds hit the Central Karoo from 11:00 to 16:59, and much of the Northern Cape faces a Level 10 veld fire warning.

Visit betsport.cv for more information.

Weather warnings for Wednesday 14 October

SAWS has 3 weather warnings in force for Wednesday, the highest warning level 10 for veld fire conditions. Tap a warning to see the areas and what to do.

Red level 10Veld Fire ConditionsWherePrieska, Augrabies Falls, Victoria West, Noupoort + 12 moreWhenWed 08:00 to 19:59Areas: Prieska, Augrabies Falls, Victoria West, Noupoort, Twee Rivieren, VanWyksvlei, Thohoyandou, Musina, Alldays, Prince Albert, Calvinia, Beaufort West, Ladismith, Sutherland, Oudtshoorn, Laingsburg.

• Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

What to do: All personnel and equipment should be removed from the field. Fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on full stand-by. At first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time. All available aircraft are to be called for without delay.Yellow level 2Severe ThunderstormsWhereEscourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Underberg + 27 moreWhenWed 10:00 to 23:59Areas: Escourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Underberg, King Shaka Airport, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook, Goodhom, Stanger, Mandini, Maphumulo, Camperdown, Giants Castle, Mooi River, Pomeroy, Ndwedwe, Nkandla, Royal National Park, Margate, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg, Ixopo, Pennington, Eshowe, Howick, New Hanover, Harding, Greytown, Umzimkhulu and 1 more.

• Localised damage to infrastructure and settlements.
• Localised flooding of susceptible roads and bridges.
• Minor motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility.
• Difficult driving conditions on dirt and slippery roads.
• Large amounts of small hail/ large hail over an open area.
• Localised fire incidents.

What to do: Take caution or avoid traveling on bridges and roads in low lying areas as these may be susceptible to flooding and there may be sinkholes. Avoid outdoor activities as lightning, hail and flooding may result in injuries and death. If possible, stay indoors well clear of windows, shelter pets, and cover vehicles. Move livestock and cars to safe sheltered areas as there may be flying debris.Yellow level 1Damaging WindsWherePrince Albert, Beaufort West, Sutherland, LaingsburgWhenWed 11:00 to 16:59Areas: Prince Albert, Beaufort West, Sutherland, Laingsburg.

• Localised damage to settlement (both informal and formal) and temporary structures.
• Localised problems for high sides vehicles on prone roads (due to crosswinds on exposed high level roads/bridges).
• Some transport routes and travel services affected by wind.

What to do: The public is advised to secure loose objects and structures, roof sheets, signage and outdoor furniture. (e.g. closing of windows, covering of sand, Watering of the dampening of sand). Exercise caution when driving, particularly on routes prone to crosswinds. Stay away from flying debris that may pose danger. Monitor the latest SAWS warnings and follow instructions from local authorities.SAWS advisoryImpact-Based WarningsWhat2 items, tap to read

• Yellow Level 2 Warning: Severe Thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and lightning, resulting in localised flooding and damage to infrastructure and settlements, are expected over most parts of KwaZulu-Natal, except in the north.
• Yellow Level 1 Warning: Damaging Interior Winds leading to localised problems for high-sided vehicles on prone routes and localised damage to temporary structures are expected over Karoo Hoogland local municipality in the Northern Cape and the Central Karoo district municipality in the Western Cape.

SAWS advisoryFire Danger WarningsWhat1 item, tap to read

• Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over the central parts of Northern Cape, north-eastern parts of the western cape, north-western parts of the Eastern Cape, as well as the northern parts of Limpopo.

SAWS advisoryAdvisoriesWhat1 item, tap to read

• A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in the north-western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, until Thursday (15/10/2026).

Moon tonightWaxing Crescent16% lit

The moon tonight is a waxing crescent, about 16% lit, and the next full moon is on Monday 26 October.

Weather today by province, Wednesday 14 October

View 5-Day Weather Forecast

Each province lists its main towns with today’s sky, low and high, rain chance and wind; every province starts closed, tap one to open it. Tide times are inside Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Today Johannesburg peaks at 28°C.

Gauteng

Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, VereenigingA dry, partly cloudy day with no rain expected. Pretoria peaks at 30°C after a 16°C start, Vereeniging reaches 29°C, and Johannesburg and Soweto top out at 28°C.Johannesburg todayPartly cloudy28°12°0%ENE 5 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close GautengTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hJohannesburgPartly cloudy12°28°0%ENE 5PretoriaPartly cloudy16°30°0%E 10SowetoPartly cloudy13°28°0%ENE 5VereenigingPartly cloudy12°29°0%NE 5

Western Cape

Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, George · tidesDamaging winds blow through Prince Albert, Beaufort West and Laingsburg from 11:00 to 16:59. Elsewhere it is dry under high cloud, with Paarl and George at 26°C and Cape Town at 20°C.Cape Town todayHigh cloud20°11°0%NW 15 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close Western CapeTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hCape TownHigh cloud11°20°0%NW 15StellenboschHigh cloud8°23°0%NW 10PaarlHigh cloud9°26°0%WNW 10GeorgeHigh cloud12°26°0%SSW 10Tides: Cape TownDayLow tideHigh tideWed 14 Oct10:49, 23:1004:55, 17:02

Mpumalanga and Limpopo next today: Mbombela reaches 29°C and Polokwane reaches 29°C.

Mpumalanga

Mbombela, eMalahleni, ErmeloDrizzle in Mbombela brings a 30% chance of rain and a high of 29°C. Ermelo has fog and 28°C, while eMalahleni is partly cloudy at 28°C.Mbombela todayDrizzle29°14°30%NE 10 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close MpumalangaTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hMbombelaDrizzle14°29°30%NE 10eMalahleniPartly cloudy14°28°0%ENE 5ErmeloFog12°28°0%WNW 5

Limpopo

Polokwane, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou, MusinaFire danger is extremely high in the north, where Musina reaches 35°C. Thohoyandou hits 31°C, Polokwane 29°C and foggy Tzaneen 29°C, with no rain expected.Polokwane todayPartly cloudy29°14°0%ENE 10 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close LimpopoTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hPolokwanePartly cloudy14°29°0%ENE 10TzaneenFog14°29°0%E 10ThohoyandouPartly cloudy16°31°0%SE 5MusinaPartly cloudy17°35°0%ESE 15

North West and Free State follow today: Mahikeng reaches 31°C and Bloemfontein reaches 29°C.

North West

Mahikeng, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom, KlerksdorpShowers and thundershowers are possible, with a 30% chance of rain. Rustenburg is the warmest at 32°C, Mahikeng reaches 31°C, and Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp 30°C.Mahikeng todayRain, storms31°17°30%NNW 10 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close North WestTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hMahikengRain, storms17°31°30%NNW 10RustenburgRain, storms18°32°30%ESE 5PotchefstroomRain, storms16°30°30%NW 10KlerksdorpRain, storms16°30°30%NW 5

Free State

Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, KroonstadShowers and thundershowers bring a 30% chance of rain. Kroonstad peaks at 31°C, Bloemfontein at 29°C after a 13°C morning and Bethlehem at 28°C.Bloemfontein todayRain, storms29°13°30%NW 10 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close Free StateTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hBloemfonteinRain, storms13°29°30%NW 10BethlehemRain, storms13°28°30%WNW 10KroonstadRain, storms16°31°30%ENE 5

Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal close the list today: Kimberley reaches 31°C, Gqeberha reaches 26°C and Durban reaches 27°C.

Northern Cape

Kimberley, Upington, Springbok, De Aar · tidesA Level 10 veld fire warning covers Prieska, Augrabies Falls, Victoria West, Noupoort, Twee Rivieren and Vanwyksvlei from 08:00 to 19:59, and Sutherland faces damaging winds from 11:00. Upington hits 34°C, Kimberley 31°C.Kimberley todayRain, storms31°15°30%NW 10 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close Northern CapeTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hKimberleyRain, storms15°31°30%NW 10UpingtonPartly cloudy19°34°0%NW 15SpringbokClear13°27°0%WNW 15De AarRain, storms14°30°30%NW 15Tides: Port Nolloth (modelled)DayLow tideHigh tideWed 14 Oct10:09, 22:3004:16, 16:26

Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, East London, Mthatha, Queenstown · tidesThunderstorms for Mthatha (34°C) and Queenstown (28°C), with a 30% chance of rain. Gqeberha and East London stay cloudy and dry at 26°C and 28°C; fire danger is extremely high in the north-west.Gqeberha todayCloudy26°15°0%WSW 15 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close Eastern CapeTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hGqeberhaCloudy15°26°0%WSW 15East LondonCloudy16°28°0%ENE 15MthathaThunderstorms14°34°30%N 5QueenstownThunderstorms12°28°30%WNW 15Tides: GqeberhaDayLow tideHigh tideWed 14 Oct11:01, 23:2305:07, 17:17Tides: East LondonDayLow tideHigh tideWed 14 Oct11:04, 23:2405:04, 17:13

KwaZulu-Natal

Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Newcastle · tidesLevel 2 severe thunderstorms from 10:00 to 23:59 for Ladysmith, Estcourt, Ekuvukeni, Underberg, Kokstad and King Shaka Airport. Pietermaritzburg has a 60% rain chance at 30°C, while dry Richards Bay hits 34°C.Durban todayRain, storms27°21°30%ENE 10 km/hTap for every town todayTap to close KwaZulu-NatalTowns todayTownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/hDurbanRain, storms21°27°30%ENE 10PietermaritzburgRain, storms17°30°60%NW 5Richards BayCloudy21°34°0%N 10NewcastleRain, storms16°32°30%NNW 5Tides: DurbanDayLow tideHigh tideWed 14 Oct11:06, 23:2705:05, 17:15

View the 5-Day Weather Forecast

Forecast data: the South African Weather Service and other third-party sources and providers, brought together with the latest AI tools. We take great care to get every figure right, but mistakes are possible.

More weather news, warnings and forecasts are on The South African’s weather page.

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