Gauteng is bracing for a significant drop in temperatures next week as a strong cold front is forecast to sweep across the province and parts of the country.
While much of July has brought unseasonably mild conditions to provinces such as Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West, forecasters are warning that the warm spell is about to end.
Earlier cold fronts in June brought subzero morning temperatures to some areas, but the latest system is expected to be the most intense of the season.
Weather service AccuWeather predicts a sharp decline in temperatures beginning Monday, accompanied by possible rainfall.
Johannesburg is expected to reach a maximum of just 11°C on Monday, with only a slight improvement on Tuesday, when highs will hover around 12°C. Pretoria will also feel the chill, with temperatures dropping to 13°C and a 60% chance of rain on the cards.
By Wednesday, conditions are forecast to stabilise as temperatures gradually climb back into the high teens. Until then, the province should expect cool to warm weather leading up to the cold front’s arrival.
The end of July is often marked by a sharp chill in many parts of South Africa, and this year appears to be no exception.
With recent highs around 20°C in many areas, the sudden turn in weather is expected to be a stark reminder that winter is far from over. Meteorologists have suggested that this may be the harshest cold front Gauteng has experienced this year.
