On Thursday, rain and thunderstorms are forecast in parts of South Africa over the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal regions, while most of the rest of the country will remain dry. Residents of South Africa can expect a generally mild start to October, with precipitation concentrated mainly in the northeastern areas, and hot conditions developing in some parts of the Western Cape.
The South African Weather Service has not issued severe weather warnings, fire danger warnings, or advisory messages for Thursday. Rainfall is expected mainly over Limpopo, Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal, as well as parts of the North West and Gauteng.
Rainfall probability concentrated in the northeast
Limpopo is expected to have cloudy and cool weather, with a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms. Conditions should become partly cloudy by late afternoon. Mpumalanga is also forecast to be cloudy and cool, with a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms across most of the province; the westernmost areas are expected to remain dry.
KwaZulu-Natal will see morning fog in inland areas, followed by partly cloudy and cool or cold weather. The northeastern part of the province is expected to have a 60% chance of scattered showers and rain, while the chances of precipitation decrease further inland. The North West is expected to be partly cloudy and cool, with a tendency towards cloudiness in the north, and a 30% chance of isolated showers and rain in the northeast.
Gauteng to be partly cloudy after early rains
Gauteng may experience a cloudy and cool or cold start to Thursday, with a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms in the far north early in the day. The province is expected to become partly cloudy as conditions improve. The UV index will be moderate. Meanwhile, Free State is expected to be dry, with clear or partly cloudy and cool weather.
Western Cape prepares for very hot conditions
A sharp contrast is expected in the Western Cape, as temperatures will rise significantly throughout the interior. In the morning, fog and cloudy, cool weather are forecast along the west and southwest coasts, but the rest of the province will be clear and warm or hot. Very hot conditions are expected in some areas of the southern interior. Strong northwesterly winds are expected along the southwest coast and in some parts of the southern coast. The UV index in the Western Cape will be very high.
The Northern Cape will experience morning fog along the coast, while other areas are expected to have clear, windy, and cool or warm weather. The northeast will be partly cloudy. The Eastern Cape will remain mostly dry and warm. Both halves of the Eastern Cape are expected to remain largely dry. In the western half, south of the escarpment, morning fog is possible before clear and warm weather develops, while the eastern half will be clear and warm throughout the day. Fresh or strong northeasterly winds are expected along the coast of the eastern half of the province.