As winter tightens its grip, South Africa is bracing for a powerful double cold front expected to sweep across the country from Wednesday, 30 July 2025. According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), this system will bring freezing temperatures, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible snowfall in elevated regions.
The first wave will affect the western and southern provinces, with partly cloudy conditions, isolated to scattered showers, and some thundershowers.
Expected conditions on Wednesday, 30 July:
- Western Cape
- Towns: Vredendal, Sutherland, Oudtshoorn
- Very cold to cold conditions
- Rainfall: 60% scattered to 80% widespread in the southwest
- Southern Northern Cape
- Towns: Springbok, Upington, De Aar, Kimberley
- Cool to cold temperatures
- Eastern Cape (Western interior)
- Towns: Graaff-Reinet, Beaufort-West
- Cool to cold weather
- Free State
- Towns: Bethlehem, Welkom
- Cold conditions
- Bloemfontein expected to remain relatively cool
- KwaZulu-Natal (Southern regions)
- Towns: Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Port Shepstone
- Cool temperatures with a 20–30% chance of isolated coastal rainfall
- Inland KZN and Eastern Highveld
- Towns: Newcastle, Ermelo
- Cold weather forecast
- Far Northern Limpopo and Mpumalanga
- Towns: Musina, Phalaborwa
- Conditions to remain comparatively warm
By Thursday, 31 July, the second system will push further inland and east, intensifying the cold.
Forecast for Thursday, 31 July:
- Western Cape
- Continued very cold conditions
- Persistent high rainfall
- Eastern Cape (Broader coverage)
- Towns: Beaufort-West, Mthatha, East London
- Cold to very cold conditions
- Isolated 30% rainfall across the region
- Northern Cape
- Towns: Springbok, Kimberley
- Cold weather continues
- Nama Khoi municipality flagged for extreme fire danger
- Free State
- Towns: Welkom, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein
- Temperatures drop further
- Gauteng
- Cities: Johannesburg, Pretoria
- Johannesburg may reach 0°C
- Pretoria expected around 2°C
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Towns: Newcastle, Ermelo, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Port Shepstone
- Cold inland, cool coastal
- Strong coastal winds, isolated showers, and large waves
- Snowfall Warning
- Likely in high-lying areas, especially the mountains near Sutherland, Western Cape
Click the button below, if you would like a detailed weather forecast for your city or town:
As this cold front intensifies, the South African Weather Service urges communities to prepare for harsh conditions. Vulnerable groups, especially children, older people, and those living in informal settlements, will require support to stay warm and safe.
Let’s remain vigilant and supportive during this cold spell, showing once again the strength of South African communities in times of adversity.
Are you already feeling the effects of the cold front? Share what it’s like in your area by commenting below.
Be sure to read, Poachers Storm Vryheid Reserve, Kill Rhino and Steal Horn, if you missed it.
8 Responses
Please bring pet dogs inside out of the cold.
Create a shelter for any lost cold animal that has been abandoned.
Animals matter !!
Come on summer cant wait
we have just moved from musina where we have like 27 dec weather to newcasle with 14 dec average.bitterly cold
Natural cycle nothing to do with global warming that is a bit overrated especially when you see how much toxic gas ONE volcanic eruption puts into the atmosphere, enjoy the cold brrr
Kill yourself
In Ba-Phalaborwa the cold weather defeats our Sun. Our skies are clear we see the sun but can hardly feel it’s effects. In a nutshell it’s very cold. We are sitting at 22⁰C quite unusual.
An average of 22 in winter is a blessing! C’mon!
Northam Limpopo very Cold