Pretoria – Gauteng residents have been urged to take precautions as the province experiences its first official heatwave of the 2026/27 summer season, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C in Pretoria.
The heatwave began on Friday and was forecast to intensify over the weekend, with conditions expected to persist until Monday.
Johannesburg is forecast to reach 33°C, while Vereeniging could record 32°C. The hot conditions are also expected to affect parts of the Mpumalanga Highveld, southern Mpumalanga Lowveld and south-western bushveld of Limpopo.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had warned of rising temperatures across several provinces, with Pretoria expected to record temperatures of between 31°C and 34°C over the weekend and into the following week.
Gauteng weather for tomorrow: 19 October 2026.
#saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather https://t.co/2lbTd08LBI— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 18, 2026
A heatwave is declared when maximum temperatures in a particular location reach or exceed 5°C above the average maximum temperature of the hottest month for that location for at least three consecutive days.
Residents have been advised to drink plenty of water, limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours and wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing. Children, older people and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat.
Pet owners have also been urged to ensure animals have access to shade and fresh drinking water.
SAWS urged the public to “monitor official SAWS forecasts and warnings” as weather conditions develop.
Residents are encouraged to follow updates from the South African Weather Service for the latest forecasts and official warnings.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
