The South African Weather Service has warned of a cold snap over most of the country this weekend, a reminder to keep each other warm!
Johannesburg, South Africa (20 May 2021) – Two successive cold fronts are expected to move in over the Western Cape, starting on Thursday (20 May 2021), resulting in rainy, cold and windy conditions as the weather system propagates eastwards over the southern parts of the country.
A cold front is set to move in over the south-western Cape during Thursday morning, causing widespread showers and rain, especially over the western parts of the Western Cape, spreading over the eastern parts of the Western Cape, the southern parts of the Northern Cape and western parts of the Eastern Cape during the afternoon and evening. Strong sustained north-westerly winds of 50-70km/h winds may be experienced over the southern high ground of the Northern Cape, the interior of the Western Cape and the interior of the Eastern Cape, which may result in difficult driving conditions, especially for high-sided vehicles. Similar conditions are expected along the coast of the Western Cape.

A secondary cold front will make landfall on Friday (21 May 2021), causing rainfall and light snowfall to persist over the Western Cape. Cold conditions will start to invade the central parts of the country during Friday with maximum temperatures dropping significantly to the mid-teens. These conditions are expected to reach KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng during Saturday and Sunday.
Small stock farmers are advised that the combination of cold, wet and windy weather may result in stock losses unless animals are taken to shelter, well ahead of the onset of the winter weather. Minimum temperatures are expected to drop significantly over the country’s central, western and southern interior from Saturday morning (22 May 2021), with morning frost possible in places.
The cold snap is also a reminder to help keep fellow South Africans warm and fed! Many organisations are working on the ground to do just this! Visit our charity portal to find the closest organisation to you.
South African charities have become the life-force of this country from feeding millions to distributing blankets and even offering accommodation. If you can assist in any way, please get in touch.
The South African Weather Service has issued the following Warnings:
- A Yellow level 2 Warning for Rain resulting in localised flooding is expected over the Cape Metropole,
western parts of the Cape Winelands and the western parts of the Overberg Districts on Thursday into Friday (20 to 21 May 2021). - A Yellow level 2 Warning for Wind resulting in damage to settlements is expected over the southern
high ground of the Northern Cape and the Central Karoo and Little Karoo of the Western Cape on
Thursday but along the coastal areas between Lamberts Bay and Cape Agulhas from Wednesday evening, spreading to Plettenberg Bay on Thursday afternoon, moderating on Friday. - A Yellow level 2 Warning for Waves resulting in difficulty in navigation is expected between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay from Thursday afternoon into Friday. The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to this weather system and will issue subsequent updates as required. Furthermore, the public is urged and encouraged to follow weather forecasts on television and radio regularly.