Severe thunderstorms are heading for parts of Northern Cape and Eastern Cape on Wednesday.
Boris Jordan Photography/Getty Images
The South African Weather Service has warned of severe thunderstorms expected to hit parts of the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape, bringing excessive lightning and heavy downpours.
Impact-based warnings
Yellow Level 1 warning for severe thunderstorms associated with large amount of small hail, excessive lightning, heavy downpours leading localised flooding of susceptible roads, settlements, as well as low-lying bridges/areas are expected over Ubuntu, Emthanjeni, Umsobomvu, Renosterbergh, Thembelihle and Siyathemba local municipalities in the Northern Cape, as well as Dr Beyers Naude, Blue Crane Route and Inxuba Yethemba local municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
Weather outlook for Wednesday & Thursday, 18 – 19 February 2026.
Partly cloudy & warm to hot conditions are expected, with isolated to scattered showers & thundershowers possible over the central & eastern parts of the country from the afternoon . #saws #weatheroutlook pic.twitter.com/SQ53tPX5K4— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) February 16, 2026
In the SAWS’ colour-coded weather warning system, yellow indicates a moderate risk of impact that requires caution and awareness, while orange indicates that higher-risk impact is expected, requiring increased attention and preparation.
The SAWS uses the numbers to indicate the likelihood of weather-based impacts occurring. Levels 2 and 6 are high, and Level 4 is low.
The weather in your province
Gauteng: Partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures are expected across the province.
Pretoria 14 °C — 28°C
Johannesburg 14°C — 27°C
Vereeniging 15°C — 26°C
Mpumalanga: The Lowveld will enjoy fine weather, while other areas can expect partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions. Those in the south-eastern parts should prepare for isolated showers and thunderstorms later in the day.
Mbombela 14°C — 30°C
Ermelo 13°C — 25°C
Emalahleni 12°C — 27°C
Standerton 13°C — 27°C
Skukuza 18°C — 35°C
Limpopo: Fine weather continues in the eastern Lowveld regions. The rest of the province will be partly cloudy with warm to hot temperatures.
Polokwane 14°C — 30°C
Phalaborwa 13°C — 33°C
Tzaneen 15°C — 32°C
Musina 16°C — 33°C
Lephalale 17°C — 32°C
Mokopane 12°C — 30°C
North West: Fine and warm weather to start, transitioning to partly cloudy conditions. Western areas should watch for isolated showers and thunderstorms developing through the day.
Klerksdorp 14°C — 29°C
Potchefstroom 14°C — 28°C
Mahikeng 14°C — 28°C
Rustenburg 15°C — 29°C
Vryburg 14°C — 29°C
Free State: The day starts fine and warm, but clouds will build up with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible.
Bloemfontein 15°C — 29°C
Welkom 15°C — 29°C
Bethlehem 11°C — 27°C
Northern Cape: Generally fine and warm to hot, becoming partly cloudy as the day progresses. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected, but these become more scattered across the central interior and southern parts – including the areas under severe weather warnings.
Coastal winds will be moderate to fresh from the south.
Upington 20°C — 34°C
Kimberley 15°C — 30°C
De Aar 16°C — 30°C
Alexander Bay 16°C — 25°C
Springbok 18°C — 31°C
Calvinia 18°C — 30°C
Sutherland 19°C — 29°C
Western Cape: Partly cloudy to fine conditions with warm to hot temperatures. The eastern interior should prepare for isolated showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon.
Coastal winds start light to moderate from the north-west to west in the morning, strengthening to fresh south-westerly winds from the afternoon. In the west, expect moderate southerly winds.
Cape Town 19°C — 26°C
Vredendal 17°C — 30°C
Riversdale 19°C — 32°C
George 19°C — 27°C
Worcester 18°C — 30°C
Beaufort West 21°C — 32°C
Oudtshoorn 19°C — 32°C
Western half of the Eastern Cape: Partly cloudy and warm to hot temperatures expected. Isolated thunderstorms are likely inland, becoming more scattered in northern areas. Coastal areas will likely stay dry.
Coastal winds will be light and variable initially, becoming moderate easterly later.
Eastern half of the Eastern Cape: Partly cloudy and warm conditions with isolated thunderstorms expected, particularly in northern areas where they may be more frequent.
Coastal winds will be moderate to fresh from the north-east.
Gqeberha 19°C — 29°C
Makhanda 16°C — 30°C
Cradock 15°C — 32°C
Graaff-Reinet 16°C — 33°C
East London 19°C — 29°C
Port St Johns 20°C — 26°C
Mthatha 12°C — 29°C
Komani 13°C — 29°C
Qonce 14°C — 30°C
KwaZulu-Natal: Morning fog is expected over interior areas, so drive carefully during the early commute. Conditions will then become partly cloudy and warm to hot. The south-west can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, while other areas will see isolated activity, except the north-east, which should remain mostly dry.
Coastal winds will be moderate to fresh from the north to north-east.
Durban 19°C — 28°C
Richards Bay 17°C — 32°C
Pietermaritzburg 10°C — 29°C
Ladysmith 13°C — 32°C
*This weather report was written with the support of Toqan AI.
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