South Africa Weather Today – Thursday, 9 April 2026
Johannesburg will experience broken clouds and temperatures between 13°C and 24°C today, as most of South Africa settles into mild autumn conditions. Cloud cover dominates across the interior provinces, while the Western Cape records the only rain activity with light showers in Cape Town. Daytime highs range from 24°C in Gauteng to 28°C in Mpumalanga, with the national average sitting at 22°C.
What This Means for Your Day
Expect comfortable conditions for outdoor activities across most provinces, though you’ll need a jacket in the morning as temperatures dip into the low teens. The Western Cape requires an umbrella, particularly in Cape Town where light rain is forecast. Wind speeds remain moderate in most areas, but the Northern Cape and Free State are seeing gusts above 15 km/h, which may affect outdoor plans in those regions.
South Africa Weather Highlights
- Warmest conditions: Mpumalanga reaching 28°C in Mbombela
- Only rainfall: Western Cape with light rain in Cape Town
- Coolest morning: Johannesburg and Polokwane at 13°C
- Strongest winds: Northern Cape with 22 km/h from the north
- Clearest skies: Limpopo under clear conditions
What to Expect Across the Provinces
Gauteng
Johannesburg will see broken clouds throughout the day with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 24°C. Light north-westerly winds at 1 km/h and humidity at 59% make for settled conditions. Pretoria and surrounding areas can expect similar cloud cover with minimal wind disruption.
Western Cape
Cape Town is experiencing light rain today with temperatures between 21°C and 27°C. Easterly winds at 3 km/h and 57% humidity accompany the showers. Residents should keep rain gear handy, though the precipitation remains light. Coastal areas will see similar conditions with cloud cover persisting through the afternoon.
KwaZulu-Natal
Durban records broken clouds with temperatures from 21°C to 26°C. North-easterly winds reach 18 km/h along the coast, and humidity sits at 73%. The warmer coastal conditions make this one of the more humid provinces today. Pietermaritzburg and inland areas will experience slightly cooler temperatures with similar cloud cover.
Mpumalanga
Mbombela will be the warmest city in the country at 28°C, with a morning low of 18°C. Scattered clouds and east-north-easterly winds at 5 km/h create pleasant conditions. Humidity reaches 67%, typical for this region in early April. Nelspruit and surrounding Lowveld areas will enjoy the warmest daytime temperatures nationally.
Limpopo
Polokwane experiences clear skies with temperatures between 13°C and 25°C. Southerly winds at 4 km/h and 66% humidity mark this as the clearest province today. The morning will be notably cool at 13°C, matching Johannesburg for the coldest start. Tzaneen and the northern regions will see similar clear conditions with warmer afternoon temperatures.
North West
Mahikeng sees broken clouds with temperatures from 15°C to 25°C. North-north-easterly winds are the strongest in the region at 19 km/h, with 60% humidity. The wind may create slightly breezy conditions for outdoor work. Rustenburg and surrounding areas will experience comparable cloud cover and wind speeds.
Free State
Bloemfontein records broken clouds with temperatures between 15°C and 24°C. North-westerly winds at 16 km/h and 59% humidity create moderate conditions. The wind will be noticeable throughout the day, particularly in open areas. Welkom and surrounding towns will see similar cloud patterns with steady breezes.
Northern Cape
Kimberley experiences broken clouds and temperatures from 16°C to 25°C. Northerly winds reach 22 km/h, the strongest in the country today, with 58% humidity. The wind will be a factor for anyone working outdoors or travelling on exposed roads. Upington and western areas will see lighter winds but similar cloud cover.
Eastern Cape
Gqeberha records broken clouds with temperatures between 21°C and 25°C. North-easterly winds at 4 km/h and 68% humidity create mild coastal conditions. Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas will experience comfortable autumn weather with moderate cloud cover. East London and the eastern coast will see similar conditions with slightly higher humidity levels.
Weekend Outlook
Friday will bring clearer skies to Johannesburg with temperatures reaching 26°C, making it the warmest day of the forecast period. Saturday continues the clear trend with highs of 26°C before clouds return on Sunday. Monday introduces light rain to the Johannesburg area with temperatures dropping to 23°C. The weekend offers ideal conditions for outdoor plans, particularly on Friday and Saturday when skies clear across most of the country.
Weather Tips for Today
- Start the day with a jacket in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Free State where morning temperatures sit between 13°C and 15°C
- Carry an umbrella in the Western Cape, especially in Cape Town and surrounding areas
- Secure loose outdoor items in the Northern Cape and Free State where winds exceed 15 km/h
- Expect comfortable afternoon temperatures in most provinces, ideal for outdoor activities without rain gear outside the Western Cape
- Plan for higher humidity in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, particularly along the coast and in the Lowveld
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.
