Weekend Forecast Brings Milder Days but Cold Nights to Newcastle, Ladysmith and Vryheid

After a week of bitterly cold weather, rainfall and snowfall across KwaZulu-Natal, temperatures are expected to recover gradually in Newcastle, Ladysmith and Vryheid over the weekend.

However, residents should not pack away their winter clothing just yet, with cold nights remaining firmly in the forecast.

According to AccuWeather, daytime temperatures will climb steadily from Friday, 14 August 2026, through to Sunday. Newcastle and Ladysmith are expected to reach the low to mid-20s by Sunday, while Vryheid should warm to 22°C.

Newcastle Cold Weather Continues as Snow Hits Surrounding Passes

Despite the milder afternoons, overnight temperatures are forecast to remain in the low single digits across all three towns.

The weekend forecast is as follows:

Friday, 14 August 2026

• Newcastle: A hazy but cool day, reaching 18°C before dropping to 4°C overnight.
• Ladysmith: Hazy sunshine is forecast, with a high of 18°C and an overnight low of 2°C.
• Vryheid: Temperatures are expected to reach 18°C before falling to 4°C during the night.

Saturday, 15 August 2026

• Newcastle: Slightly warmer conditions are forecast, with a high of 21°C and a low of 5°C.
• Ladysmith: The temperature is expected to climb to 22°C before dropping to 3°C overnight.
• Vryheid: A high of 20°C is forecast, followed by an overnight low of 4°C.

Sunday, 16 August 2026

• Newcastle: The weekend should end on a milder note, with temperatures reaching 23°C and falling to 6°C overnight.
• Ladysmith: Sunday is forecast to be the warmest day of the weekend, reaching 24°C before dropping to 4°C.
• Vryheid: Temperatures are expected to peak at 22°C, with a low of 6°C during the night.

AccuWeather currently places the probability of rain at between 0% and 1% across the three towns throughout the weekend, with hazy sunshine expected during the day.

Click the town to see a detailed forecast for Newcastle, Ladysmith and Vryheid.

Forecasts can change, and residents planning outdoor activities or travelling over the weekend are encouraged to check the latest information before setting out.

Be sure to read: