South Africa is bracing for a mix of severe weather conditions across several provinces on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The regions of KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and North West are expected to face severe thunderstorms, potential hail, and heatwave conditions. A Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms in much of KwaZulu-Natal, while a heatwave advisory is in place for the north-western region until Thursday.
In KwaZulu-Natal, residents can expect morning fog in the far western interior, followed by partly cloudy skies with warm to hot temperatures. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are anticipated in the south-west, with isolated showers forecasted elsewhere, excluding the north-east. Coastal winds are expected to shift throughout the day, and the UVB sunburn index is predicted to be high. In Durban, the forecast includes partly cloudy skies with isolated showers and thunderstorms, alongside light winds transitioning to a north-easterly direction later in the day. Temperatures in this coastal city are expected to range between 21°C and 27°C.
The Free State is also set to experience partly cloudy, windy, and warm to hot conditions, with isolated showers and thunderstorms predicted. Scattered thunderstorms may occur in the extreme north-west of the region. In Bloemfontein, partly cloudy skies with isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected, although specific temperature details were not provided in the forecast.
In the North West province, weather conditions are predicted to be partly cloudy with warm to hot temperatures. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are on the horizon, with scattered storms potentially impacting the extreme west. Mahikeng will likely see partly cloudy conditions, isolated showers, and thunderstorms, with temperatures projected to range from 17°C to 31°C.
Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed through local weather updates, take necessary precautions during thunderstorms, and protect themselves against strong sunshine and high temperatures. The combination of severe thunderstorms and heatwave conditions underscores the importance of preparedness and safety measures during this period of unsettled weather.