South Africa weather: severe alerts for flooding and wind

South Africa is facing varied weather conditions, with a powerful cut-off low expected to impact the Western and Northern Cape provinces from Thursday into Friday, September 3-4, 2026.

The South African Weather Service has issued several Yellow Level 4 warnings. These include alerts for disruptive rainfall that could lead to flooding in the Overberg and Garden Route District Municipalities of the Western Cape. Additionally, damaging winds are expected in the Namakwa District Municipality, parts of the Cape Winelands, Central Karoo, and the Little Karoo, posing risks to temporary structures and travel services.

Coastal areas between Alexander Bay and Plettenburg Bay may experience damaging winds and waves, potentially disrupting ports and maritime navigation. Meanwhile, extremely high fire danger conditions are forecasted for the eastern Northern Cape and south-eastern Free State.

Earlier forecasts for August 31 indicated mixed conditions across major centers, with drizzle expected in Durban, Kimberley, and Bloemfontein, while cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria remained overcast.