Christmas Day weather forecast for all provinces and major cities

Christmas Day is almost upon us and whether you’re enjoying a festive braai or a day indoors, you’ll want to know what the weather is doing in your neck of the woods.

As South Africans prepare to spend the day with family and friends, the country’s vast and varied weather conditions promise rain, shine and everything in between. We’ve compiled a list of weather forecasts for all provinces and major cities, so that you can make the best of your Christmas Day, come what may.

Christmas Day weather forecast 2019

Gauteng

It’s going to be a warm Christmas Day for most parts of Gauteng, with little rain forecast for the Highveld. Mid-afternoon thunderstorms are, however, forecast for the extreme south and residents of Vanderbijlpark should expect some light drizzle.

Johannesburg

A high of 29°C is forecast for Johannesburg on 25 December. Moderate cloud cover is expected to set in around midday with isolated thunderstorms occurring just east of the city in the late afternoon. Very little wind expected.

Pretoria

It’s going to be a blistering day in Pretoria, with highs expected to reach 32°C. Minimal cloud cover, coupled with no rain or thunderstorms forecast, makes it the perfect Christmas Day to spend outdoors.

Western Cape

It’s going to be a cool day across most parts of the Western Cape, with midday highs ranging from 18°C around coastal regions to 28°C in the interior. No downpours are forecast.

Cape Town

It’s going to be a cloudy, moderate day in Cape Town, with a high of 21°C forecast. A light drizzle could make landfall in the afternoon. Very little wind is anticipated.

George

Christmas Day in George is going to be partly sunny with a daytime high of 20°C. Minimal wind is expected and the chance of afternoon drizzle remains low.

KwaZulu-Natal

Rain is expected to fall in most parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Christmas day, especially in the midlands between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg. Conditions will be slightly better at the coast.

Durban

Durban can expect some late-afternoon rainfall, with highs of 26°C forecast. It’s likely to remain overcast and humid for most of the day.

Pietermaritzburg

It’s going to be a hot, overcast day in Pietermaritzburg with highs of 32°C, despite rainfall expected to reach a peak just after midday. Lunchtime thunderstorms have also been forecast for Pietermaritzburg and surrounds.

Eastern Cape

It’s going to be a moderate day for most parts of the Eastern Cape, with some light drizzle forecast for coastal areas and with daytime highs hovering around 26°C.

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth can expect scattered showers in the late afternoon. Highs of 23°C have been forecast, with moderate cloud cover expected to persist throughout the day. Very little wind has been forecast.

East London

Daytime highs of 26°C have been forecast for East London. Scattered showers are expected in the early evening. Dense cloud cover and overcast conditions are expected.

Free State

It’s going to be a wet day for most parts of the Free State, with downpours and thunderstorms likely to persist all afternoon. Fierce daytime highs, forecast to hover around 34°C, are expected in the north-western parts of the province.

Motorists travelling through the province have been urged to proceed with caution amid slippery conditions.

Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein and its surrounds can expect thunderstorms and downpours in the afternoon, with a daytime high of 29°C forecast.

Limpopo

It’s going to be a scorcher in Limpopo on Christmas Day, with midday temperatures in the north of the province expected to break the 40°C mark. Residents of Louis Trichardt, Thohoyandou and Giyani are going to feel the heat.

Polokwane

It’s going to be a hot and relatively clear day in Polokwane with no rain forecast. Daytime highs are expected to reach 34°C.

Mpumalanga

It’s going to be a hot and mostly sunny day across Mpumalanga, with a slight chance of thunderstorms south of Barberton and north of Nelspruit. Daytime highs are expected to hover around 32°C for most parts of Mpumalanga – with temperatures soaring beyond 40°C in eastern parts of the province, around the Kruger National Park.

Nelspruit

Nelspruit is expecting daytime highs of 35°C on Christmas Day, with a slight chance of rain around midday. Cloud cover is expected to be moderate.

North West

It’s going to be a hot and cloudy day for most parts of the North West, with daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high 30°C range. Light thunderstorms are expected in the extreme south of the province.

Mahikeng

Mahikeng is going to be mostly cloudy and warm on Christmas Day, with midday highs expected to hover around 31°C. The chance for light drizzle around midday remains low.

Northern Cape

Kimberley

It’s going to be a hot day in Kimberley, with highs of 30°C forecast. Heavy midday thunderstorms are expected to bring with them 6mm of rain.

Upington

It’s going to be a hot and mostly sunny day in Upington, with day time highs of 34°C forecast.