SAWS Warns: Week of Cold, Rain and Potential Snowfall

As the week kicks off with agreeable weather, South Africans should prepare for a significant shift in conditions, as a formidable cold front is poised to sweep across the nation, ushering in rain, potential snowfall, and markedly colder temperatures.

This comes as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that this approaching cold front will bring a pronounced alteration in weather patterns from Monday, 21 July 2025, to Sunday, 27 July 2025.

As per the weather service, the national weather map for Tuesday, 22 July 2025, illustrates a widespread cold front, with temperatures expected to plummet across the interior, dropping to as low as 10 degrees Celsius in regions such as Johannesburg, Bethlehem, and Ermelo, and 15 degrees Celsius in areas like Upington, Kimberley, and Mthatha. 

This cold snap is expected to be accompanied by a 30% chance of isolated rainfall in the east and a 60% likelihood of scattered showers along the southern coast. By Wednesday, 23 July 2025, SAWS anticipates the persistence of these chilly conditions, with temperatures remaining low across much of the interior, alongside a 30% chance of isolated rainfall spreading inland and a 60% probability of scattered showers in the south-east.

Moreover, SAWS forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated showers and thundershowers affecting various regions.

In particular, KwaZulu-Natal is expected to experience disruptive rainfall, reduced visibility, and potentially damaging waves along its coastal areas. According to the SAWS forecast, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to take place over various areas in KZN. Additionally, scattered showers along the coast, and the adjacent interior from Tuesday, 22 July 2025, and Wednesday, 23 July 2025, can be expected. 

Furthermore, temperatures will range from cool to cold, with warmer conditions in the east on Monday, 21 July 2025, transitioning to the north-east on Thursday, 24 July 2025, and Friday, 25 July 2025.

SAWS has also issued warnings of extremely cold temperatures in Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, and Umzimkhulu, where such conditions could pose significant health risks, including hyperthermia, frostbite, and respiratory issues like exacerbated asthma.

Finally, the weather service further provided detailed marine weather forecasts, indicating that winds will predominantly blow from the south to southwest at 10 to 20 knots, intensifying to 25 to 30 knots from Saturday afternoon, 26 July 2025.

Winds are expected to shift to north to northeast at 10 knots in the north on Monday, 21 July 2025, and from Wednesday morning, 23 July 2025, until Thursday, 24 July 2025. Wave heights are projected to range from 2.0 to 3.0 metres, increasing to 4.0 to 5.0 metres from Friday afternoon, 25 July 2025, with a south to southwest swell turning southeast from Thursday evening, 24 July 2025, until Friday afternoon, 25 July 2025.

As South Africa prepares for the formidable cold front sweeping across the nation from 21 July 2025 to 27 July 2025, residents are urged to adopt stringent measures to protect public health and ensure safety. Furthermore, communities, particularly in high-risk areas such as Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, and Umzimkhulu, must prioritise adequate heating and protective clothing to mitigate the severe health risks posed by hyperthermia, frostbite, and respiratory issues like exacerbated asthma. 

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