South Africa Weather Today – Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Johannesburg is experiencing clear skies with temperatures ranging between 16°C and 25°C this Wednesday, as most of South Africa enjoys settled conditions under high pressure. The national weather pattern is dominated by sunshine and dry air across the interior provinces, though isolated light rain is affecting parts of North West and cloud cover is thickening along the coastal belt. The national average temperature is tracking at 23°C, with the Northern Cape recording the day’s peak of 31°C.
What This Means for Your Day
Outdoor activities are favoured across Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo where clear conditions prevail. If you’re in Mahikeng or surrounding North West areas, keep an umbrella handy as light rain showers are passing through. Coastal residents in Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban should prepare for windy conditions, with gusts reaching up to 26 km/h along the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal shorelines. The Northern Cape’s dry heat requires sun protection and hydration for anyone spending extended time outdoors.
South Africa Weather Highlights
- Hottest region: Northern Cape, Kimberley reaching 31°C with scattered clouds
- Warmest inland provinces: Mpumalanga and Free State both peaking at 29°C
- Only rainfall: North West experiencing light rain with temperatures between 19°C and 28°C
- Coolest minimums: Gauteng and Free State starting at 16°C overnight
- Strongest winds: Gqeberha recording 26 km/h southwesterly gusts, Durban with 25 km/h from the east-northeast
What to Expect Across the Provinces
Gauteng
Johannesburg is enjoying clear skies with temperatures between 16°C and 25°C. Light north-northeasterly winds at 5 km/h and moderate humidity levels of 58% create comfortable conditions across the province. Pretoria and surrounding metros are experiencing identical patterns, making it an ideal day for commuting and outdoor work.
Western Cape
Cape Town is covered by overcast clouds with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 23°C. South-southeasterly winds are blowing at 18 km/h, and humidity sits at 77%. The cloud cover is persistent across the metro, though no rain is expected. Coastal activities should account for the breeze and reduced sunshine.
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban is experiencing scattered clouds with temperatures between 23°C and 27°C. Strong east-northeasterly winds at 25 km/h are affecting the coastline, with humidity at 76%. The province remains dry despite the cloud cover, though beachgoers should be aware of the wind strength.
Eastern Cape
Gqeberha has scattered clouds with temperatures from 20°C to 23°C. Southwesterly winds are gusting at 26 km/h, the strongest in the country today, with humidity reaching 86%. The coastal wind is notable and will affect sea conditions. Inland areas around Mthatha are experiencing similar cloud cover but lighter winds.
Free State
Bloemfontein is under clear skies with a wide temperature range from 16°C to 29°C. North-northwesterly winds at 10 km/h and low humidity of 51% define the dry, sunny conditions. The province shares the interior high-pressure dominance with Gauteng, delivering stable autumn weather.
Limpopo
Polokwane has few clouds with temperatures between 17°C and 27°C. Easterly winds at 11 km/h are slightly stronger than in neighbouring provinces, with humidity at 60%. The light cloud cover is not expected to interrupt the overall sunny conditions across the Lowveld and Bushveld regions.
Mpumalanga
Mbombela is seeing broken clouds with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 29°C. Easterly winds at 4 km/h and humidity of 65% reflect the province’s slightly more humid character. Despite the cloud cover, conditions remain dry and warm, particularly across the Lowveld escarpment.
North West
Mahikeng is the only provincial capital reporting precipitation, with light rain and temperatures between 19°C and 28°C. North-northeasterly winds at 11 km/h and moderate humidity of 56% accompany the showers. The rain is expected to remain light and scattered, affecting mainly the eastern parts of the province near the Gauteng border.
Northern Cape
Kimberley is recording the country’s highest temperature, reaching 31°C from a morning low of 22°C under scattered clouds. Northerly winds at 17 km/h and very low humidity of 28% underscore the dry, hot conditions typical of the interior plateau. Residents should take precautions against dehydration and sun exposure.
Weekend Outlook
The settled weather pattern is expected to hold through the weekend. Johannesburg will see clear skies continuing on Saturday with temperatures climbing to 27°C, then warming further to 29°C on Sunday. Most provinces will experience a gradual temperature rise, with Sunday likely to be the warmest day. No significant rain systems are forecast, and the North West showers should clear by Friday. Coastal regions will maintain cloud cover, particularly around Cape Town, but conditions will remain dry.
Weather Tips for Today
- Apply sunscreen if spending time outdoors in the Northern Cape, Free State or Mpumalanga where UV exposure is high
- Carry a light jacket in Gauteng and Free State for the cool 16°C morning starts
- Secure loose outdoor items in Gqeberha and Durban due to strong coastal winds
- Keep an umbrella in your vehicle if travelling through North West, particularly near Mahikeng
- Stay hydrated in Kimberley and surrounding Northern Cape areas where temperatures exceed 30°C
- Check tide and wind conditions before beach activities along the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coasts
Useful Weather and Travel Links
Looking for more to do after checking the forecast? Explore the latest events in Gauteng and plan your day around the weather.
You can also browse our weather category for more South Africa weather updates and recent forecast articles.
For official forecasting and weather advisories, visit the South African Weather Service.
