South Africa Weather Today – Thursday, 28 May 2026
Johannesburg will see scattered clouds and mild conditions on Thursday, with temperatures ranging between 12°C and 20°C. Cloud cover is building across much of the country’s interior, while clearer skies persist in the northeast and along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. The national average temperature stands at 18°C, reflecting a settled late-autumn pattern with dry conditions and light to moderate winds.
What This Means for Your Day
Expect cool starts across the interior, particularly in the Free State where morning temperatures drop to 7°C. Layer up early if you’re commuting before sunrise. Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape will see the warmest afternoon conditions, reaching 29°C and 25°C respectively, while coastal areas remain mild but breezy. No rain is forecast, so outdoor plans are safe to proceed.
South Africa Weather Highlights
- Warmest region: Mpumalanga with a high of 29°C in Mbombela
- Northern Cape and Limpopo also warm, reaching 25°C and 24°C
- Coolest morning: Free State dipping to 7°C overnight
- Cloudy conditions dominate Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape
- Clear skies hold over Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal
What to Expect Across the Provinces
Gauteng
Johannesburg will experience scattered clouds with temperatures between 12°C and 20°C. Light south-southwesterly winds at 5 km/h will keep conditions calm. Pretoria and the East Rand can expect similar cloud cover and mild daytime warmth. Morning chill will ease by mid-morning.
Limpopo
Clear skies dominate Polokwane, where temperatures will range from 11°C to 24°C. South-southeasterly winds at 12 km/h will be noticeable but not disruptive. The province enjoys some of the best sunshine today, ideal for outdoor work and travel.
Mpumalanga
Mbombela will be the warmest spot in the country, with clear skies and temperatures climbing from 15°C to 29°C. Light southwesterly winds at 3 km/h mean calm conditions. Lowveld areas will feel distinctly warm by afternoon, while the Highveld remains cooler.
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban will see clear skies and temperatures between 16°C and 24°C. Southerly coastal winds will pick up to 14 km/h, bringing a fresh breeze off the ocean. Inland areas such as Pietermaritzburg will be slightly cooler, but sunshine will dominate across the province.
North West
Mahikeng will have scattered clouds with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 23°C. West-northwesterly winds at 3 km/h will remain light. Cloud cover may linger through the afternoon, but no rain is expected. Morning temperatures will be brisk.
Free State
Bloemfontein will see broken clouds and temperatures between 7°C and 21°C. North-northwesterly winds at 12 km/h will be moderate. The province records the coldest morning temperature today, so early risers should dress warmly. Cloud cover will increase slightly through the day.
Northern Cape
Kimberley will experience broken clouds with temperatures from 14°C to 25°C. North-northwesterly winds at 17 km/h will be the strongest in the interior, creating breezy conditions. Despite the cloud cover, it will still be one of the warmer regions today.
Eastern Cape
Gqeberha will have scattered clouds and temperatures between 15°C and 19°C. West-southwesterly winds at 14 km/h will bring a coastal breeze. Humidity will sit at 80%, making it feel cooler than the actual temperature. Coastal areas will remain overcast for much of the day.
Western Cape
Cape Town will see scattered clouds with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 18°C. North-northwesterly winds at 9 km/h will be moderate. High humidity at 81% will make conditions feel damp, particularly along the Atlantic seaboard. Cloud cover will persist, but no rain is forecast.
Weekend Outlook
Johannesburg will see cloud cover ease on Friday, with broken clouds and temperatures between 13°C and 20°C. The weekend brings clear skies and slightly cooler conditions, with Saturday and Sunday both reaching highs of 19°C and overnight lows around 11°C to 12°C. Dry weather will continue across most of the country, making it a stable weekend for outdoor activities and travel.
Weather Tips for Today
- Dress in layers if you’re in the Free State, North West or Gauteng—morning temperatures are cold
- Apply sunscreen in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal where UV exposure will be high under clear skies
- Expect breezy conditions in the Northern Cape and along the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coasts
- Cloud cover in Cape Town and Gqeberha will keep temperatures mild but may feel cooler due to humidity
- No rain expected, so outdoor plans and road trips are safe to proceed nationwide
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.
