Weather: Heat gives way to afternoon storms and strong winds

Here is what the weather has in store for KZN, the Free State, and the North West on Saturday 17 October 2026.

A heatwave with persistently high temperatures is expected in northern KwaZulu-Natal until Sunday.

Meanwhile, hot to very hot conditions will cause extreme discomfort in eastern parts of the province.

KWAZULU-NATAL

Fine and hot to very hot, but extremely hot in places in the north-east.

It will become partly cloudy in the afternoon with isolated showers and thundershowers in the south.

The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh northerly to north-easterly, becoming fresh to strong southerly to south-westerly south of Durban by mid-morning spreading to Kosi Bay by evening.

The UVB sunburn index is going to be extreme.

DURBAN

Durban is going to be fine, becoming partly cloudy from late morning with isolated evening showers and rain.

Light northerly winds will blow in the morning before shifting to moderate to fresh southerly to south-westerly winds.

Temperatures will range from 22°C to 29°C.

The UVB sunburn index is going to be extreme.

FREE STATE

Fine at first, otherwise partly cloudy and hot with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers. It will be windy in the west.

BLOEMFONTEIN

Bloemfontein is going to be fine, becoming partly cloudy with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers.

Temperatures will range from a minimum of 14°C to a maximum of 35°C.

NORTH WEST

North West is going to be fine and hot to very hot, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon, with isolated showers and thundershowers.

It will be windy in the west.

MAHIKENG

Mahikeng is going to be fine, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon.

Temperatures will range from a minimum of 17°C. to a maximum of 35°C.

Weather forecast data provided by the South African Weather Service.