Cold front looms as SA braces for flooding, rough seas and damaging winds

South Africans are being urged to prepare for a sharp weather change this weekend, with forecasters warning that a powerful cold front could bring flooding, rough seas and damaging winds to parts of the country over the weekend.

While Gauteng is expected to remain mostly fine but chilly heading into the weekend, coastal provinces are already experiencing unstable conditions. 

South African Weather Service (SAWS) meteorologist, Lethlohonolo Thobela, says conditions are expected to ease on Saturday over parts of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape following heavy rainfall earlier in the week. 

“For tomorrow, a 30% chance of showers and rain is expected across the west coast of the Western Cape, with partly cloudy conditions expected into the afternoon, with cool temperatures across most parts of the province. If you’ll be in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, expect a partly cloudy day. No precipitation is in the cards for Saturday over most parts of the Eastern Cape,” said Thobela. 

This follows heavy rainfall in the Eastern Cape on Thursday, which caused widespread flooding in the Kouga after the Kouga Dam exceeded capacity, prompting urgent evacuation orders in parts of the Gamtoos valley.

URGENT EVACUATION NOTICE – GAMTOOS VALLEY
The Kouga Dam has exceeded full capacity and is currently exceeding 113%, resulting in a serious flood risk to surrounding communities.
Residents in the following areas are requested to evacuate:
• Kingsway Village
• Big Fish
• Gamtoos… pic.twitter.com/3Wu9UyW3OG

— DA Eastern Cape (@DAEasternCape) May 7, 2026

Authorities confirmed that at least 33 people were rescued on Friday, with search and rescue efforts continuing in flood-affected areas.

Meanwhile, a cold front is expected to make landfall over the Western Cape and Northern Cape from Sunday into Tuesday.

The weather service has issued an Orange Level 6 and 8 warnings for damaging winds and heavy rains over parts of the Western Cape, while a Yellow Level 2 warning in surrounding areas and the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape.

Forecasters warn that the severe conditions could lead to falling trees, damage to property and road closures, while transport services may also face disruptions due to strong crosswinds and debris.

Motorists, especially drivers of high-sided vehicles on routes like the N1, have been urged to exercise extreme caution as strong winds may make driving dangerous.

Media Release: Frigid, wet and windy conditions for Western and Northern Cape as an intense cold front arrives (10 – 12 May 2026)

Click here to read more: https://t.co/XYqLeLT9Wb pic.twitter.com/96njy95ekZ

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) May 8, 2026