Cold front grips South Africa: Here’s how long the chill could last
A powerful cold front has settled over parts of South Africa this week, bringing biting winds, sub-zero mornings, and even snowfall in some regions. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 4 warning for damaging winds, particularly in coastal areas, as winter makes an early and dramatic entrance.
While parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal brace for snowfall, Gauteng residents are contending with plummeting temperatures and dry, gusty conditions.
Johannesburg is forecast to reach a minimum of 2°C and a high of 13°C on Wednesday, while Pretoria is only slightly warmer with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 15°C. No rainfall is expected in Gauteng, but the chill has arrived in full force.
“Residents of the City of Johannesburg are urged to prepare for a weather shift as the South African Weather Services has issued a warning for extremely cold temperatures in most parts of the City of Johannesburg from this coming Wednesday towards the week,”
— Joburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.
“This drop in temperatures means that residents throughout the City of Johannesburg will be forced to use all sorts of heating devices to try and warm themselves in the process, making themselves vulnerable to fire incidents at home if heating devices are used unsafely/unattended,”
— Robert Mulaudzi
The extreme temperatures have prompted disaster teams to activate precautionary measures across several provinces. Read more: Disaster teams on high alert as double cold front hits South Africa
How long will the cold front last?
Forecasts suggest that the cold front will persist until the weekend, with Wednesday expected to be the coldest day of the week in Gauteng. While slight improvements are expected from Thursday onwards, morning lows will remain frosty across most of the country.
Gauteng 5-day weather forecast:
- Tuesday 20 May (Windy)
Johannesburg: 4°C | 21°C
Pretoria: 6°C | 23°C
Strong winds will make it feel colder than it is—layer up. - Wednesday 21 May (Cold front peaks)
Johannesburg: 2°C | 13°C
Pretoria: 4°C | 15°C
Coldest day of the week. Minimal warming during the day. - Thursday 22 May
Johannesburg: 4°C | 17°C
Pretoria: 6°C | 19°C
Slight improvement, but still chilly throughout. - Friday 23 May
Johannesburg: 5°C | 18°C
Pretoria: 7°C | 20°C
Winds ease, but early morning cold continues. - Weekend outlook (24–25 May)
Johannesburg: 5°C | 19°C (Sat), 3°C | 17°C (Sun)
Pretoria: 7°C | 21°C (Sat), 5°C | 19°C (Sun)
Gradual warming in the afternoons, though crisp mornings will linger.
For real-time updates, check the Gauteng Weather and South African Weather Service X (Twitter) feeds.
Safety first: Staying warm without risk
Authorities are urging South Africans to take preventive measures to stay warm safely:
- Dress in layers: Cold mornings can quickly turn into warmer afternoons.
- Use heaters carefully: Never leave heating devices unattended; always ventilate your space.
- Look out for others: Check on elderly neighbours, small children, and pets.
- Secure outdoor items: Strong winds may knock over or damage loose structures.
- Prepare kids for school: Make sure children are dressed warmly, especially in the early mornings.
As the country adjusts to the wintry conditions, many are also keeping an eye on how other issues—like rising utility costs—may compound seasonal challenges. South Africans face 12.7% electricity increase: Here’s how it will impact you
Additionally, recent tornado damage in Pretoria highlights the increasingly volatile nature of South Africa’s weather patterns.
Winter is here—stay informed and prepared
While the worst of the cold front is expected to pass by early next week, forecasters warn that this may be just the beginning of South Africa’s winter challenges. Residents are encouraged to monitor weather alerts and stay updated on local emergency notices.
Have your say: How are you staying warm this week? Share your tips on social media using #ColdFrontSA and tag NOWinSA.
Stay safe, stay warm, and keep checking in with NOWinSA — Stories Shaping South Africa Today.
