What to do now: If you are travelling by sea or working on coastal vessels, check with operators and follow maritime safety advice. Onshore, protect yourself from strong gusts and secure loose outdoor items. For sun protection, use sunscreen during the warm daytime hours.
Yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds at sea
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued an impact-based yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds at sea for Wednesday, 26 August 2026. The warning affects coastal waters between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas from the morning, spreading to Plettenberg Bay in the afternoon. Saws warns these winds may cause difficulties for navigation at sea.
General inland picture
Most inland provinces can expect generally fine, warm and partly cloudy conditions. The forecast highlights cooler, cloudier weather with isolated showers on the eastern seaboard provinces.
Key provincial expectations for Wednesday, 26 August 2026:
- Gauteng: Partly cloudy and warm. UVB sunburn index is high — limit prolonged sun exposure and use protection.
- North West: Fine and warm, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon.
- Free State: Cloudy with morning fog in the east; otherwise fine and warm, turning partly cloudy in the extreme north-west later.
- Northern Cape: Cloudy with morning fog patches over the extreme west; otherwise partly cloudy and cool to warm. Fine in the extreme east.
- Mpumalanga: Cloudy with isolated showers and rain in the east; elsewhere partly cloudy and cool to warm. Morning fog patches over the southern Highveld.
- Limpopo: Cloudy in the south-east; otherwise partly cloudy and cool to warm.
- KwaZulu‑Natal: Turning cloudy with isolated showers (forecast notes clouds and isolated showers for KZN).
- Western Cape: Morning mist over the central and north‑eastern interior; otherwise fine to partly cloudy and cool to warm, but hot over the West Coast District. Cloudy along the south coast in the morning.
| Province | Short forecast (26 Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Gauteng | Partly cloudy, warm; high UVB |
| North West | Fine and warm; afternoon partly cloudy |
| Free State | Cloudy with morning fog east; otherwise fine and warm |
| Northern Cape | Cloudy with morning fog patches west; partly cloudy elsewhere |
| Mpumalanga | Cloudy with isolated showers in the east; morning fog southern Highveld |
| Limpopo | Cloudy southeast; partly cloudy elsewhere |
| KwaZulu‑Natal | Cloudy with isolated showers |
| Western Cape | Morning mist interior; hot over West Coast District; cloudy south coast morning |
Safety and preparedness
Marine users: take the yellow level 2 warning seriously. Strong winds at sea can make navigation hazardous, reduce vessel manoeuvrability and increase the risk of accidents. Check with harbour authorities and operators before sailing.
Coastal residents and visitors: secure loose items, avoid walking on exposed piers during strong gusts, and be cautious of higher surf in exposed bays.
Those inland should note two practical points:
- Sun protection: In provinces with warm, partly cloudy conditions — particularly Gauteng and North West — the UVB index is expected to be high. Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses during peak sunlight hours.
- Fog patches: Morning fog is likely over parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and the southern Highveld. Drive with headlights on low beam, reduce speed and allow extra stopping distance.
This bulletin is based on the latest public forecasts released by the South African Weather Service for Wednesday, 26 August 2026. Monitor SAWS updates and local maritime advisories through their official channels for any changes to warnings or conditions.
Stay prepared: if your plans take you to the coast, confirm conditions with operators; if driving in fog-prone areas, slow down and keep a safe following distance; and when outdoors in warm provinces, protect yourself from sun exposure.
