
Weather service forecasts warmer winter
It claims the country will experience extreme cold until August.
The message refers to the 'Aphelion phenomenon', a term widely misunderstood.
The service forecasts a warmer winter this year.
Lehlohonolo Thobela from the Weather Service said what drives our seasons is the Earth's tilt.
"Once it turns towards the sun or away from the sun is what actually drives our seasons," he said.
"What we're expecting is a mild winter. We're expecting temperatures to remain above normal, which you'll get in winter."

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The South African
3 days ago
- The South African
Clear days and chilly nights expected in Gauteng
Gauteng will experience clear daytime weather under clear skies, but nighttime temperatures are set to dip sharply this week. While the region remains unaffected by the incoming cold front hitting the Western Cape, forecasters advise residents to prepare for chilly mornings and evenings. According to Mpho Rasimphi, a weather forecaster, 'Gauteng will remain mostly clear, with Johannesburg reaching highs of around 19 degrees. However, temperatures will drop significantly at night.' This pattern continues from the trend of stable conditions over Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The cold front sweeping through the Western Cape will not directly impact Gauteng. Instead, Gauteng and its surrounding provinces will stay mostly cloud-free. 'Tomorrow is going to be a clear day for Gauteng,' Rasimphi explained. 'While parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape face damaging winds, Gauteng will enjoy stable and dry conditions.' Although the days will be pleasant, the evenings and early mornings could be uncomfortable. Bethlehem, located nearby in the Free State, expects a minimum of -3°C. Rasimphi noted, 'Over parts of central South Africa, including areas near Gauteng, overnight temperatures will hover around zero. It's going to be a relatively chilly night.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
4 days ago
- The South African
Cooler conditions with cloud cover for KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal will experience cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies on Tuesday, with no extreme weather expected, but residents should still brace for a chilly day. Forecaster Phemelo Zonke noted, 'KwaZulu-Natal will remain fine and cool with Richards Bay expecting highs of around 23 degrees, and cooler conditions in Pietermaritzburg with a maximum of 18.' Despite partly cloudy skies, KZN is unlikely to see rainfall. Zonke explained, 'There are no isolated thundershowers forecast for KwaZulu-Natal. The focus will be on mild to cool temperatures, especially in inland towns.' Eastern parts of the province may start the morning with a light mist or fog, but conditions will clear up gradually through the afternoon. Coastal towns like Durban will enjoy slightly warmer highs compared to inland areas. Most of the province is expected to have consistent weather throughout the day. Zonke said, 'It's a stable weather pattern overall, no severe weather alerts, just a mix of sun and cloud with cooler air settling over the region.' Residents are urged to keep warm and continue monitoring forecasts if weather conditions change suddenly, especially in areas close to the Drakensberg, where temperatures drop quickly after sunset. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
4 days ago
- The South African
Cold and cloudy day ahead for Gauteng
On Tuesday, residents of Gauteng will wake up to cold weather and a partly cloudy sky. Temperatures are expected to remain low throughout the day. According to Phemelo Zonke, a forecaster, 'Johannesburg will start cold with a minimum of four degrees, reaching a high of 18 degrees. Springs and Bronkhorstspruit will be even colder, peaking at just 16 degrees.' The region will remain dry, with no significant rain forecast for the day. Much of the central and eastern interior of the country, including Gauteng, will see partly cloudy conditions. 'Fine weather is expected over the southern and central parts of the country, but the northwestern, northern, and northeastern areas will remain partly cloudy,' Zonke added. Although there's no warning of thundershowers in Gauteng, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is monitoring developments over the adjacent regions, where weather systems could shift. Cold conditions in nearby provinces like the Free State and Mpumalanga may also influence Gauteng's overall feel. While Gauteng avoids extreme weather, SAWS has issued a fire danger warning for parts of the Western Cape. Zonke said, 'Runaway veld fires are possible overnight due to high fire danger conditions, especially over the southern part of the Western Cape.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.