Residents in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and North West provinces of South Africa are being advised to prepare for severe weather conditions expected on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms across much of KwaZulu-Natal, while a heatwave advisory is in effect for the north-western region until Thursday.
In KwaZulu-Natal, morning fog is anticipated over the far western interior, transitioning to partly cloudy skies with warm to hot temperatures. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast in the south-west, with isolated showers elsewhere except in the north-east. Coastal winds will shift directions throughout the day, and the UVB sunburn index is expected to be high. In Durban, residents can expect partly cloudy skies accompanied by isolated showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 27°C and a high risk of sunburn.
The Free State is also set to experience partly cloudy, windy, and warm to hot conditions. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are predicted, with the possibility of scattered storms in the extreme north-west. Bloemfontein, the provincial capital, is expected to have similar weather conditions, though specific temperature forecasts are unclear.
In the North West province, the weather will be partly cloudy and warm to hot, with isolated showers and thunderstorms. Scattered storms could occur in the extreme west of the region. Mahikeng, the capital city, is forecast to have partly cloudy conditions with isolated showers and thunderstorms, and temperatures ranging from 17°C to 31°C.
Residents in these regions are advised to stay updated with local weather reports and take necessary precautions against severe thunderstorms and high temperatures. It’s important to ensure safety during adverse weather conditions and protect against strong sunshine.