Brace for rain and strong winds in Western Cape

The Western Cape can expect cooler, wetter and windier conditions on Wednesday, 21 October, while several inland provinces continue to experience warm to hot weather.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) expects rain in parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, while hot and windy conditions affect several other regions.

Rain and cooler weather expected in the Western Cape

Cooler, wetter and windier conditions will bring a change in weather to Cape Town and surrounding areas on Wednesday.

SAWS forecasts cloudy and cool to warm conditions across much of the Western Cape, with scattered showers and rain in the south-west.

Isolated showers could also affect neighbouring inland areas and parts of the south coast.

Moderate to fresh north-westerly winds will blow along parts of the coastline, while fresh to strong westerly to south-westerly winds will affect other coastal areas.

Cape Town could reach a maximum temperature of around 19°C on Wednesday.

Eastern Cape could also receive rain

Parts of the Eastern Cape can expect partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions.

SAWS forecasts isolated showers and rain in the south-western parts of the province.

Fresh to strong south-westerly winds will also affect the coastline, particularly from late morning.

Hot weather continues across the interior

While the cold front brings cooler conditions to the south-west, several inland provinces will remain warm to hot.

Gauteng can expect fine and warm weather, with hot conditions in the extreme north.

North West and the Free State will experience fine, windy and warm to hot conditions.

In Limpopo, temperatures will remain warm to hot, with very hot conditions in parts of the Western Bushveld.

KwaZulu-Natal can expect warm to hot weather, with very hot conditions in some north-eastern areas.

Why is the weather so different across the country?

Cold fronts generally approach South Africa from the west or south-west, bringing cooler air and sometimes rain as they move across the country.

However, their effects depend on how far inland they travel and the atmospheric conditions surrounding them.

This means the Western Cape can experience cooler temperatures and rain while provinces farther north remain warm or hot.