Maps partly based on data from the SA Weather Service

THURSDAY WEATHER: Level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms with possible flooding, damaging wind and large hail

By Staff Writer
Published: 17 December 2025 [updated 18 December]

This forecast is for: Thu 18 December 2025
The maps cover: Thu 18 Dec – Sat 20 Dec


The latest forecast is available by clicking here.

From Thursday there should be isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts of the country, but widespread over KwaZulu-Natal.

Models are indicating rain in excess of 50 mm for areas over the Midlands, western and northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, and significant impacts are possible over these areas.

It will be cooler in many parts of the country again on Thursday.

Warnings from the SA Weather Service for Thursday:

A. level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours with potential to cause flooding of susceptible roads and settlements, strong damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning resulting in danger to life over parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

B. level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours with potential to cause flooding of susceptible roads and settlements, strong damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning resulting in danger to life over parts of North West, Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga.

C. level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail resulting in localised flooding and damage to infrastructure and settlements over most parts of Mpumalanga, southern Gauteng, eastern and central North West, extreme eastern parts of Free State, south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo except in the north-east.

Regional forecasts from the SA Weather Service for Thursday:

GAUTENG
Cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers.

MPUMALANGA
Morning fog along the escarpment and eastern Highveld, otherwise cloudy and cool with scattered showers and thundershowers.

LIMPOPO
Cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers.

NORTH WEST
Partly cloudy and warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers. It will be cloudy in the east.

THE FREE STATE
Partly cloudy and warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers except in the west.

THE NORTHERN CAPE
Partly cloudy in the east, otherwise fine and warm to hot. The wind along the coast will be fresh to strong south-easterly.

THE WESTERN CAPE
Fine and cool to warm but hot in the west. It will be partly cloudy in the extreme east. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate southerly becoming fresh to strong south-easterly along the west coast from the afternoon.

THE WESTERN HALF OF THE EASTERN CAPE
Partly cloudy and cool to warm. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate south-westerly, becoming light and variable in the evening.

THE EASTERN HALF OF THE EASTERN CAPE
Partly cloudy and warm in the north-west, otherwise cloudy and cool with light rain in places along the coast and adjacent interior. The wind along the coast will be moderate south-easterly.

KWAZULU-NATAL
Morning fog over the western interior, otherwise cloudy and cold to cool with widespread morning showers and rain but scattered in the south. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate south-easterly.

Travellers forecasts from the SA Weather Service for Thursday:

PRETORIA
Cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 16/26°C

JOHANNESBURG
Cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 14/24°C

VEREENIGING
Cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 15/25°C

MBOMBELA
Cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 16/23°C

POLOKWANE
Cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 16/23°C

MAHIKENG
Partly cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 16/28°C

VRYBURG
Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 18/31°C

BLOEMFONTEIN
Partly cloudy.
Minimum/Maximum: 16/30°C

KIMBERLEY
Partly cloudy.
Minimum/Maximum: 18/33°C

UPINGTON
Partly cloudy.
Minimum/Maximum: 20/36°C

CAPE TOWN
Fine.
Wind: Light to moderate south-easterly at first becoming fresh to strong in the afternoon.
Minimum/Maximum: 14/25°C

GEORGE
Partly cloudy becoming fine.
Wind: Light to moderate southerly.
Minimum/Maximum: 14/24°C

GQEBERHA
Partly cloudy.
Wind: Light to moderate south-westerly, becoming light and variable in the evening.
Minimum/Maximum: 15/24°C

EAST LONDON
Cloudy with light rain in the morning.
Wind: Light to moderate south-easterly.
Minimum/Maximum: 17/23°C

DURBAN
Cloudy with widespread showers and thundershowers.
Wind: Light to moderate south-easterly.
Minimum/Maximum: 19/22°C
The expected UVB Sunburn Index: Moderate

RICHARDS BAY
Cloudy with widespread showers and thundershowers.
Wind: Light to moderate southerly to south-easterly.
Minimum/Maximum: 21/24°C

PIETERMARITZBURG
Cloudy with widespread showers and thundershowers.
Minimum/Maximum: 14/18°C

This forecast is usually updated a few times per day.



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