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South African Weather Service

latest news & developments
In recent years, research Wright and colleagues led has highlighted how prolonged heat exposure places outdoor workers, children, older people and low-income communities at increased risk of dehydration, heat stress, respiratory illness and other adverse health outcomes. The risks are expected to intensify as temperatures continue to rise. (Envato Elements)
ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Extreme heat is becoming Southern Africa’s defining climate and health threat, report warns

Extreme heat is no longer a future problem. A major new report warns it is intensifying inequality, illness and climate vulnerability across Southern Africa and the worst-hit are…

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
By expanding SAWS’s observation network, the partnership seeks to close critical forecasting gaps in regions vulnerable to floods, storms and extreme rainfall
FREE STATE RAINFALL RECORD

Parts of SA experience one of the wettest Octobers on record

The South African Weather Service says some parts of the country exceeded long-term monthly averages by as much as 500% to 1000%

  • Sheree Bega
3 min read
At the 2026 Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the emphasis was on digitalisation and technological advancement of the industry. However, the industry recognises that cybersecurity can no longer continue to remain the unaddressed elephant in the room
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY

SA Weather Service hit by cyberattack — vital forecasting services remain disrupted

Email and phone systems have been restored after the cyberbreach

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
The South African agricultural sector is on solid ground for now and we shouldn’t be worried — but we should be vigilant.
AGRICULTURE

La Niña may bring favourable weather, boosting optimism about food security in Southern Africa

The weather event is predicted to bring above-normal rainfall in January before easing up, but the northeast may remain dry

  • Wandile Sihlobo
4 min read
The extreme weather, unusual for spring, has left motorists stranded in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. (Supplied by Border Management Authority)
ALTERNATIVE BORDER CROSSINGS TO LESOTHO

South African Weather Service issues level 8 warning in KwaZulu-Natal as snowfall hits parts of the country

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 8 warning for further distributive weather conditions as snowfall continues to blanket the N3 highway, particularly between…

  • Umamah Bakharia
2 min read
Land is about much more that Photo: Michele Spatari/Bloomberg/Getty Images
SOUTPANSBERG

Limpopo farmers forecast crop shortages after cold front, black frost

Farmers want Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen to visit areas in the province where potato and tomato crops, in particular, have been hit

  • Anathi Madubela
2 min read
After conducting damage assessments, the weather service has now confirmed that the tornado in Tongaat had estimated wind speeds in the order of 225km/h to 265km/h
ARTICLE

Tongaat tornado rated EF3 on Enhanced Fujita Scale, says the South African Weather Service

Wind speeds of 225km/h to 265km/h occurred in the tornado’s path

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – APRIL 07: At least 9 properties were destroyed or badly damaged in the Sunny Cove area in Fish Hoek by a out of control fire on April 07, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning of a rare weather occurrence that is set to disrupt coastal areas along South Africa’s south-west to south-east coastline. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
KANYISA MAKUBALO

Severe storm continues to lash Western Cape

Heavy rainfall, strong winds and fires have damaged roads and structures in the province

  • Sheree Bega
  • Ozayr Patel
5 min read
Emergency services have reported multiple accidents and injuries on wet and flooded roads. Photo supplied
EDUCATION

Emergency services in overdrive as rain batters already flood-hit Durban

The South African Weather Service has issued a level 5 warning for KwaZulu-Natal as flooding leaves the province at a standstill, and schools close early

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
In recent years, research Wright and colleagues led has highlighted how prolonged heat exposure places outdoor workers, children, older people and low-income communities at increased risk of dehydration, heat stress, respiratory illness and other adverse health outcomes. The risks are expected to intensify as temperatures continue to rise. (Envato Elements)
TEMPERATURE RECORDS

Heatwaves: ‘This is just the beginning’

The lengthy period of very high temperatures in November broke monthly records This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail &…

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
By expanding SAWS’s observation network, the partnership seeks to close critical forecasting gaps in regions vulnerable to floods, storms and extreme rainfall
HAILSTORM

It’s the season for thunderstorms, says SA Weather Service

Monday’s severe thunderstorm cannot be directly attributed to climate change

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
As the province braces for the inclement weather, authorities are appealing to the public to cooperate and prioritise safety. (Papi Morake/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
COLD WEATHER

Cold, cloudy and wet Gauteng on Monday and Tuesday

By Wednesday, it will start to warm up, according to the South African Weather Service

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
BOT RIVER

Western Cape battered by severe weather

Flooding, road closures and accidents as province contends with level 9 weather warning

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
Rare snow in Johannesburg in 2023 caused a stir.(@ntombza/Twitter)
COLD

More weekend cold, snow and rain

Snow is expected on the peaks of the Cape, KZN and Lesotho

  • Sheree Bega
2 min read
A high-altitude balloon being launched near Beaufort West by Thumeka Mkololo, Pieter Labuschagne (both from the South African Weather Service) and Kiriyaki Blazaki (German Research Centre Juelich)
CLIMATE CHANGE

Weather balloons launched in Karoo to measure pollutants, climate change

The programme, which provides valuable, precise information on gases in the atmosphere, is a first for Africa

  • Sheree Bega
4 min read