The South African Weather Service has issued a nationwide warning of cold, wet and windy conditions from Friday, 17 April 2026, through to Monday, with the cold front expected to hit the Western and Northern Cape first before spreading to Gauteng, the Free State and the Eastern Cape over the weekend.
Temperatures in the southern high-lying areas of the Namakwa district in the Northern Cape and parts of the Cape Winelands could drop as low as 10 to 12 degrees Celsius during the day.
Forecasters at SAWS warn that a significant wind chill factor will make conditions feel considerably colder than the measured temperature, and rough seas are expected along coastal areas.
Which provinces are most at risk?
The cold front will begin its advance across the Western Cape and Northern Cape on Friday afternoon before moving into the central and eastern parts of the country on Saturday and Sunday. Gauteng, the Free State, Mpumalanga and parts of the Eastern Cape are all in the path of the system by the weekend.
SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 2 severe weather warning for Gauteng and surrounding provinces, flagging risks of localised flooding, slippery roads and significantly reduced visibility.
Motorists travelling between provinces over the Easter long weekend period are urged to exercise extreme caution.
“South Africans should brace for a significant change in conditions over the weekend,” a SAWS spokesperson said in a media release on 17 April 2026.
“Cold, wet and windy conditions may result in a strong wind chill effect, making it feel considerably colder. We urge people to dress warmly, use heating devices safely and be cautious on wet roads.”
What the public should do
SAWS advises the public to dress warmly in layers and ensure homes are adequately heated. Those using gas heaters, paraffin stoves or open fires are warned to maintain ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Coastal and low-lying communities near drainage channels should monitor water levels and be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding occurs.
Travellers are asked to check road conditions through the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and the Automobile Association before departing on long trips.
Mountain bikers, hikers and campers in the Drakensberg, the Swartberg and the Cederberg are particularly at risk from rapidly deteriorating conditions at altitude.
SAnews reported on 17 April 2026 that cold weather is expected to dominate the country from Friday through to at least Sunday, with SAWS indicating that the system may persist into the early part of next week in some provinces.
When will conditions improve and where to stay informed
The next expected SAWS update on the system will be issued on Saturday morning.
The cold front is forecast to begin clearing from the Western Cape early in the new week, though inland provinces may experience residual cold and wet conditions until Tuesday or Wednesday.
