WEATHER TODAY: Level 2 storms for Kokstad and Margate, 36°C in Musina

Severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours, hail, damaging winds and lightning are expected over southern KwaZulu-Natal and the far north-east of the Eastern Cape this afternoon and tonight, under a Level 2 warning for localised flooding and damage. Showers are most likely in East London, Mthatha, Queenstown and Pietermaritzburg at 60%, and a heat wave is expected over north-western KwaZulu-Natal. Limpopo is the hottest, with Musina reaching 36°C.

Weather warnings for Tuesday 13 October

SAWS has 3 weather warnings in force for Tuesday, the highest warning level 2 for severe thunderstorms. Tap a warning to see the areas and what to do.

Yellow level 2

Severe Thunderstorms

Where

Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook + 9 more

When

Tue 12:00 to 23:59

Areas:

Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook, Camperdown, Margate, Richmond, Pietermaritzburg, Ixopo, Pennington, Harding, Umzimkhulu, St Faith's (Cathula).

• Localised damage to infrastructure and settlements.
• Localised flooding of susceptible roads and bridges.
• Minor motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility.
• Difficult driving conditions on dirt and slippery roads.
• Large amounts of small hail/ large hail over an open area.
• Localised fire incidents.

What to do:

Take caution or avoid traveling on bridges and roads in low lying areas as these may be susceptible to flooding and there may be sinkholes. Avoid outdoor activities as lightning, hail and flooding may result in injuries and death. If possible, stay indoors well clear of windows, shelter pets, and cover vehicles. Move livestock and cars to safe sheltered areas as there may be flying debris.

Yellow level 2

Severe Thunderstorms

Where

Matatiele, Mount Ayliff, Tsolo, Ntabankulu + 1 more

When

Tue 13:00 to 23:59

Areas:

Matatiele, Mount Ayliff, Tsolo, Ntabankulu, Maclear.

• Localised damage to settlements, property, temporary structures.
• Localised disruption to power and communication supply.
• Localised flooding of roads and low-lying bridges.
• Loss of livestock and crops.
• Danger to life.

What to do:

If possible avoid traveling, stay indoors away from metal objects. Secure lose objects before thunderstorms start. Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects. Do not cross flooded areas. Keep listening for updates.

Warning Advisory

Weather Advisory

Where

Escourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Dannhauser + 9 more

When

valid until 17:59 on 13 October

Areas:

Escourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Dannhauser, Paulpietersburg, Utrecht, Dundee, Abaqulusi, Goodhom, Pomeroy, Newcastle, Nqutu, Royal National Park.

• Dehydration and Cramps.
• Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke.
• Impaired Sweating.

What to do:

– Hydrate regularly/constantly – Avoid outdoor activity – Seek shade – Check on vulnerable people.

SAWS advisory

Impact-Based Warnings

What

1 item, tap to read

• Yellow level 2 warning: Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and lightning resulting in localised flooding and localised damage to infrastructure and settlements are expected over southern KwaZulu-Natal, and the extreme north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape.

SAWS advisory

Advisories

What

1 item, tap to read

• A heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected in places over north -western KwaZulu-Natal.

Moon tonightWaxing Crescent10% lit

The moon tonight is a waxing crescent, about 10% lit, and the next full moon is on Monday 26 October.

Weather today by province, Tuesday 13 October

View 5-Day Weather Forecast

Each province lists its main towns with today’s sky, low and high, rain chance and wind; every province starts closed, tap one to open it. Tide times are inside Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Today Johannesburg peaks at 30°C.

Gauteng

Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, VereenigingClear and dry, with Pretoria the warmest at 32°C after a 15°C start. Johannesburg, Soweto and Vereeniging reach 30°C, and the chance of rain is 0%.Johannesburg today

Mostly clear

30°

12°0%

NNW 5 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Gauteng

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Johannesburg

Mostly clear12°30°0%

NNW 5

Pretoria

Mostly clear15°32°0%

NE 5

Soweto

Mostly clear12°30°0%

NNW 5

Vereeniging

Mostly clear13°30°0%

NW 5

Western Cape

Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, George · tidesDry and mild with some cloud: Cape Town 21°C, Stellenbosch 22°C and Paarl 25°C. George stays cloudy at 19°C, with no rain expected.Cape Town today

Partly cloudy

21°

14°0%

WSW 10 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Western Cape

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Cape Town

Partly cloudy14°21°0%

WSW 10

Stellenbosch

Partly cloudy12°22°0%

WNW 5

Paarl

Partly cloudy13°25°0%

WNW 5

George

Cloudy13°19°0%

SSE 10

Tides: Cape Town

DayLow tideHigh tideTue 13 Oct10:21, 22:4204:25, 16:33

Mpumalanga and Limpopo next today: Mbombela reaches 33°C and Polokwane reaches 32°C.

Mpumalanga

Mbombela, eMalahleni, ErmeloSunny and dry, with Mbombela climbing from 15°C to 33°C. eMalahleni reaches 31°C and Ermelo 29°C under mostly clear skies, with no rain expected.Mbombela today

Clear

33°

15°0%

NE 10 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Mpumalanga

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Mbombela

Clear15°33°0%

NE 10

eMalahleni

Mostly clear11°31°0%

NW 5

Ermelo

Mostly clear12°29°0%

W 5

Limpopo

Polokwane, Tzaneen, Thohoyandou, MusinaClear skies all round, with Musina reaching 36°C and Thohoyandou 34°C. Tzaneen peaks at 33°C and Polokwane at 32°C, and no rain is expected.Polokwane today

Clear

32°

16°0%

NE 10 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Limpopo

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Polokwane

Clear16°32°0%

NE 10

Tzaneen

Clear16°33°0%

NE 5

Thohoyandou

Clear17°34°0%

ENE 5

Musina

Clear16°36°0%

ESE 10

North West and Free State follow today: Mahikeng reaches 32°C and Bloemfontein reaches 27°C.

North West

Mahikeng, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom, KlerksdorpDry under cloud and some sun, with Rustenburg at 33°C and Mahikeng at 32°C. Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp reach 31°C after a 13°C start.Mahikeng today

Cloudy

32°

14°0%

NNE 5 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close North West

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Mahikeng

Cloudy14°32°0%

NNE 5

Rustenburg

Partly cloudy15°33°0%

NNW 5

Potchefstroom

Partly cloudy13°31°0%

NNW 10

Klerksdorp

Cloudy13°31°0%

WNW 5

Free State

Bloemfontein, Bethlehem, KroonstadBloemfontein (27°C) and Bethlehem (29°C) have a 30% chance of showers and thundershowers. Kroonstad stays cloudy and dry at 30°C after a 14°C start.Bloemfontein today

Rain, storms

27°

13°30%

W 10 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Free State

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Bloemfontein

Rain, storms13°27°30%

W 10

Bethlehem

Rain, storms11°29°30%

WNW 10

Kroonstad

Cloudy14°30°0%

NW 5

Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal close the list today: Kimberley reaches 27°C, Gqeberha reaches 21°C and Durban reaches 27°C.

Northern Cape

Kimberley, Upington, Springbok, De Aar · tidesShowers and thundershowers are possible, at 30%, in Kimberley (27°C), Upington (31°C) and De Aar (26°C). Springbok stays dry and partly cloudy at 26°C.Kimberley today

Rain, storms

27°

15°30%

S 10 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Northern Cape

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Kimberley

Rain, storms15°27°30%

S 10

Upington

Rain, storms17°31°30%

W 10

Springbok

Partly cloudy11°26°0%

WNW 10

De Aar

Rain, storms14°26°30%

WNW 10

Tides: Port Nolloth (modelled)

DayLow tideHigh tideTue 13 Oct09:39, 22:0203:46, 15:55

Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, East London, Mthatha, Queenstown · tidesLevel 2 severe thunderstorm warning for Matatiele, Mount Ayliff, Tsolo, Ntabankulu and Maclear from 13:00 to 23:59. East London, Mthatha and Queenstown have a 60% chance of showers, with highs of 22°C to 25°C.Gqeberha today

Slight rain

21°

15°30%

SSW 5 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close Eastern Cape

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Gqeberha

Slight rain15°21°30%

SSW 5

East London

Rain showers15°22°60%

ESE 10

Mthatha

Rain showers15°25°60%

SE 5

Queenstown

Rain showers13°23°60%

NE 5

Tides: Gqeberha

DayLow tideHigh tideTue 13 Oct10:33, 22:5604:39, 16:50

Tides: East London

DayLow tideHigh tideTue 13 Oct10:36, 22:5704:38, 16:49

KwaZulu-Natal

Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Richards Bay, Newcastle · tidesLevel 2 severe thunderstorm warning from 12:00 to 23:59 for Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook, Camperdown and Margate. Durban has a 30% chance of light rain at 27°C, and Newcastle reaches 35°C, with an advisory for Ladysmith and Utrecht until 17:59.Durban today

Slight rain

27°

20°30%

SSW 20 km/h

Tap for every town today

Tap to close KwaZulu-Natal

Towns today

TownWeatherLoHiRainWind km/h

Durban

Slight rain20°27°30%

SSW 20

Pietermaritzburg

Rain, storms18°29°60%

ESE 10

Richards Bay

Overcast16°33°0%

ESE 10

Newcastle

Rain, storms16°35°30%

ENE 10

Tides: Durban

DayLow tideHigh tideTue 13 Oct10:40, 23:0204:39, 16:50

View the 5-Day Weather Forecast

Forecast data: the South African Weather Service and other third-party sources and providers, brought together with the latest AI tools. We take great care to get every figure right, but mistakes are possible.

More weather news, warnings and forecasts are on The South African’s weather page.