Spring has arrived, bringing with it a new long-term agricultural weather outlook for South Africa. We once again look forward to the new season, as well as taking a quick look back on the winter that is now officially behind us.

Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis tells us more.

While parts of the country have already seen a wetter start to the season at the beginning of September, especially across the central and eastern regions, attention is increasingly turning to the strengthening El Niño and what it could mean for the coming summer.

Before looking ahead, however, it’s worth reflecting on a winter that was exceptionally dry across parts of the west.

A Notably Dry Winter In the West

Large parts of the Northern Cape and western interior experienced an exceptionally dry August, with some areas receiving only around 25% of their normal rainfall for the month, and locally even less.

This is particularly significant for the winter rainfall region, where August still forms an important part of the traditional rainy season.

Further east, the picture was very different. A cut-off low brought widespread rainfall to parts of the country and was also responsible for some of the coldest conditions of the winter, including widespread snowfall.

Because August is normally a dry month across much of South Africa’s summer rainfall region, a single significant weather system can have a major impact on monthly rainfall totals.

Looking at winter 2026 as a whole, the strongest dry signal was concentrated across the western parts of the country.

Large areas of the western Northern Cape, including parts of Namaqualand and the West Coast, experienced a very dry season, with some locations recording one of their driest winters on record.

Record-low rainfall was particularly evident across parts of the Northern and Western Cape, with several locations recording either their driest August or driest winter on record.

Winter was also unusually warm

The winter was not only dry in many western areas, but also unusually warm.

Analysis indicates that temperatures were between 2°C and 4°C above normal across large parts of the Northern Cape, as well as portions of the Western Cape, North West, Free State and northern Eastern Cape.

Several locations recorded their warmest August on record, while others experienced their warmest winter on record.

The strongest concentration of record warmth was found across the Northern Cape and western parts of the Western Cape, although records were also observed in parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State.

A Wet and Unsettled Start to September

The first week of September brought a sharp change in conditions, with a strong cut-off low developing over the country.

Cold, wet and windy weather occurred across several provinces, with heavy rainfall over parts of North West, the Northern Cape and Free State.

Rain also occurred across parts of the Karoo, the south coast, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho, while some rainfall extended as far north as Gauteng, Limpopo and the Highveld.

The heaviest falls fell over the central North West and neighbouring parts of the Northern Cape and Free State, with accumulated rainfall approaching 100 mm in some areas by Sunday evening 06 September, which raised the risk of flooding.

Could September Bring a Wetter Overall Start To Spring?

Seasonal guidance suggests that wetter-than-normal conditions may continue across parts of central and eastern South Africa during the first half of September. Above-normal rainfall is possible over eastern parts of the country during the second week of the month, with the wetter signal continuing across sections of the central and eastern regions into the third week.

By the final week of September, the pattern becomes more mixed, with below-normal rainfall possible along parts of the south and east coasts, while wetter conditions may occur across Limpopo, North West, the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.

It’s important to remember that spring is a transition season. As atmospheric instability increases, thunderstorms can become more intense, bringing not only heavy rain, but also hail and strong wind gusts.

El Niño continues to strengthen

El Niño has strengthened further in recent weeks and is now firmly established. The latest relative Niño 3.4 index stands at around +2.45°C, while seasonal models indicate that further strengthening is possible through spring.

There are even indications that this event could reach exceptionally strong levels.

For South Africa, El Niño is typically associated with an increased risk of warmer and drier conditions across the summer rainfall region, particularly later in the season. However, El Niño does not automatically mean drought.

There can still be periods of significant rainfall, and individual weather systems can bring substantial rain even during an otherwise dry season. (Image: Wikipedia)

Spring rainfall outlook remains uncertain

The latest seasonal forecasts currently provide mixed signals for spring.

The South African Weather Service indicates an increased chance of above-normal rainfall across parts of the Northern Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Highveld during the September-to-November period.

The University of Pretoria outlook, however, paints a different picture, indicating below-normal rainfall across large parts of the country.

Forecast skill for spring rainfall remains relatively weak, meaning confidence in these rainfall projections is still low. For now, considerable uncertainty remains around exactly how the spring rainfall season will unfold.

Exciting news for Spring Day!

Subaru Southern Africa has extended its partnership with the Vox Weather team and has presented a second Subaru Crosstrek to the Vox Weather Meteorologist team of Annette Botha and Michelle du Plessis. The strengthened Subaru sponsorship officially kicks off today: Spring Day, 1 September 2026!

This means that Michelle will drive the new off-road-ready vehicle, while Annette will drive the first Crosstrek that was previously and generously gifted. Both cars share the same specs; they just come in different, beautiful colours.

Annette’s ‘Blitzy’, the original Vox Weather Crosstrek, is in eye-catching ‘sand‑dune’, and Michelle’s new ‘Breezy’ is a bright and bold lime green. The new vehicle will also proudly carry Vox Weather branding on its doors, making it easily recognisable on the road and in Vox Weather content.

For the Vox Weather ladies, the cars are more than just a marketing asset, representing practical tools that change where they can go on location for stories, many of which can take the presenters – and their television crew members – into adverse weather and over gravel tracks and steep terrain. The partnership expands the team’s ability to report from remote and challenging locations, while improving safety for everyone involved.

Subaru builds vehicles designed to give drivers confidence in all weather conditions, and the collaboration with Vox Weather is a great platform to show people the value of its technology, particularly the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

Michelle comments: “We’re especially excited because the second Crosstrek gives Vox Weather greater flexibility on the road.

“Whether we’re covering coastal sea‑breezes, inland heatwaves or community stories in remote corners, we can now head out in matching cars with different colours but enjoying the same performance!

“The Crosstrek’s all‑round ability suits our adventurous on‑location work, offering reliable handling, generous cargo for kit and cameras, and the ease of getting into places that matter for our viewers.”

Annette adds: “At Vox Weather we’re proud to work with partners who help us deliver improved coverage from the field. The second Crosstrek continues to help us in reaching viewers, responding to breaking conditions and bringing practical, local weather information to local communities.”

In the image on the left, Michelle receives the keys from Anton Brewer, of Reeds Bellville.

As an additional bonus to the partnership, Subaru is also coming on board as an anchor sponsor of Vox Weather’s daily weather shows, which go out every evening and then also feature the next morning on Die Groot Ontbyt, on kykNET.

This means that viewers will see the Subaru name across the evening bulletin and the breakfast highlights, in a partnership that brings real‑world mobility to Michelle and Annette, and visibility to Subaru across two prime time slots.

So watch the evening shows, catch the highlights on Die Groot Ontbyt the next morning, and keep an eye on Vox Weather’s social channels for fresh photos of Michelle’s lime‑green Crosstrek and Annette’s sand‑dune ride. Here’s to more road trips, better weather coverage and a strengthened partnership with Subaru.

Oh, and a happy Spring Day, South Africa! We wish you a beautiful season of new life and energy renewal!

Spring is a season of colour, new life and renewed energy and enthusiasm, but when does it actually begin? Is it on the first of September, or the day the Sun crosses the equator near the September Equinox, which is usually around the 21^st of that month?

Let’s find out – and also get a sneak preview of the weather forecast for next week, when the clock ticks over to a new month, and a new season.

So when exactly does spring officially begin – on the first or the twenty-first of September?

The short answer is ‘both’, because different meteorological and cultural traditions mark spring in different ways.

In the country that we love to call ‘Sunny South Africa’, we make sure that spring officially starts as early as possible! and so we mark it on the first of September.

And so, with winter officially almost at an end, let’s take a look at some of the ways people celebrate spring around the world, and then check out an early weather forecast for next week from Vox Weather Meteorologist, Michelle du Plessis.

Two Ways to Mark Spring: Meteorological vs Astronomical

Meteorological spring is simple: it runs from 1 September to 30 November in the southern hemisphere. Many weather services use this definition because it groups months with similar temperatures and makes climate statistics easier to compare.

Astronomical spring begins at the September Equinox, late in the month, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

Both are valid: meteorological spring gives us a neat calendar start, while astronomical Spring ties the season to the Sun’s position at the Equinox (around 22–23 September).

Equi-What? No, Equinox…

The September Equinox is a seasonal milestone in Earth’s yearly orbit around the sun. The Equinoxes – in March and September – happen when the Sun sits directly above Earth’s equator, causing day and night to be nearly equal in length across the globe. The word comes from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night).

For the southern hemisphere, the September Equinox marks astronomical spring; for the northern hemisphere it marks astronomical autumn. At the September Equinox, the sun’s position relative to the Earth is moving from north to south as it crosses above the equator. It’s bringing summer to the Southern Hemisphere and winter to the Northern Hemisphere.

The image above shows the illustrative position of the sun at the September Equinox, moving away from the northern hemisphere and into the southern hemisphere (image courtesy of timeanddate.com).

Because the exact timing depends on Earth’s orbit and leap‑year adjustments, the Equinox date can shift slightly from year to year. The September Equinox usually falls on 22 or 23 September each year (occasionally the calendar can push it to the 21st or 24th).

The 2026 September Equinox will fall on 23 September – which is when spring 2026 will officially begin for those countries that choose to celebrate the start of spring with the Equinox.

How Do South Africans Celebrate Spring’s Arrival?

Whether a nation chooses to celebrate the arrival of spring on the first of September or at the September Equinox, the new season’s arrival usually comes with a sense of energy and happiness!

Here in South Africa, we find people in workplaces and especially schools welcoming the new season with commemorations that highlight flowers and nature. Particularly in pre-primary and primary schools around the country, children and their teachers might have flower shows, plant seeds, enjoy outdoor picnics and make flower-themed crowns and pictures during art lessons.

South Africans also celebrate spring by exploring the wildflower blooms in the Western Cape and Namaqualand and within urban parks; going whale watching along the coast, especially the Western Cape coastline; or having an outdoor braai.

Nature’s gorgeous displays of indigenous flowers in full bloom in the Cape and Namaqualand follow the rains and can peak later in the season.

A highlight includes the Namaqualand wildflowers, which is a stunning floral display that usually takes place from August to September, sometimes later depending on winter rainfall. It’s one of South Africa’s most famous spring spectacles – tourists come from around the world to see the flowers.

Click here to link to the recent visit by Michelle and her fellow Vox Weather Meteorologist Annette Botha, when they explored the Namaqualand flowers earlier this month!

Although they aren’t indigenous, the Jacaranda trees in Johannesburg and Pretoria are also famous and well-loved during spring and early summer, with their canopy of purple blossoms bringing a beautiful purple sheen to uplift the suburbs.

When the sun comes out, so do South Africans! You can find people visiting markets and parks with gusto and enjoying the famous local outdoor cuisine event that is the ‘braai’ or ‘shisanyama’.

However you choose to celebrate spring day in South Africa, we hope that the weather will be kind… more on this lower down.

Spring in Other Parts of the Southern Hemisphere

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology also treats 1 September as the start of spring, and Australia celebrates Wattle Day every year on the first of September, to mark the official first day of spring and honour the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) as the national floral emblem.

Similarly, New Zealand also widely uses 1 September as the season’s start there too. Major cultural events often happen throughout the spring season, into October and November as well, including flower festivals and the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, which is an elite thoroughbred horse racing and social season held annually from August through November.

In the South American countries of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and parts of Paraguay, spring celebrations tend to cluster around 21 September, which sits close to the Equinox. Argentina’s Día de la Primavera (Spring Day) and Student Day on 21 September are big social events, with picnics and student gatherings filling the day (as shown in the image on the right).

Brazil marks tree‑related events such as Arbor Day on 21 September as well, aligning with ecological themes at the start of spring.

Springtime North of the Equator

The northern hemisphere spring is mostly celebrated from March to May, with the March Equinox (20–21 March) marking astronomical spring. Some traditions include the following:

Japan: Cherry‑blossom festivals (named hanami) in March celebrate the arrival of spring with picnics under the trees (as shown in the image to the right, courtesy of exploreworldwide.com).
India: Holi, which is a colourful festival of spring and love, usually falls in March and brings public gatherings, music and the throwing of coloured powders.
Europe and North America: May Day, Easter and local flower and garden festivals celebrate spring through different customs and dates.

Spring Day Weather Outlook – 1 September

Is it time to put away the winter layers for the rest of 2026?

Michelle has the following update on the weather forecast for the first week of September, when spring is officially here!

Spring Day is looking fairly typical of the season across South Africa, with warm conditions over much of the interior, cooler weather along the southern and western coast, and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Temperatures across the interior are expected to reach the mid to upper 20s, with parts of the western and northern interior possibly reaching around 30°C.

A cold front will approach the country from the west. Ahead of the front, increasing instability could create favourable conditions for isolated thunderstorm development over parts of the interior during the afternoon and evening.

The southern and western coastal areas will remain noticeably cooler, with maximum temperatures generally in the upper teens to low 20s.

Some expected maximum temperatures:

Cape Town: 18°C
Gqeberha: 21°C
Durban: 23°C
Mbombela: 24°C
Johannesburg: 27°C
Pretoria: 29°C
Bloemfontein: 28°C
Kimberley: 30°C

Overall, much of the interior should get a warm taste of spring, while the coast remains cooler. And in typical spring fashion, a few isolated thunderstorms may also make an appearance.

Spring can be a precise astronomical moment, a neat meteorological month or a loosely defined cultural season.

Wherever you are in South Africa, and however you choose to define it, spring is a great excuse to get outside in our beautiful land and see wildflowers, plant trees, join a picnic or simply enjoy milder weather after the end of winter.

As spring 2026 unfolds, don’t forget to follow Vox Weather for up‑to‑date spring forecasts – enjoy the season!

After the total lunar eclipse in early March this year, South African sky gazers will have another chance to experience the magical lunar eclipse phenomenon at the end of August!

In the early hours of Friday morning 28 August, we can experience a spectacular deep partial lunar eclipse in which around 96 per cent of the Moon’s visible disc will be inside Earth’s dark shadow at maximum eclipse. Although it will not technically be a total lunar eclipse, it may look very close to one.

Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis tells us everything we need to know, including the all-important weather forecast details.

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

The first point to note is that a lunar eclipse can only happen during a full moon.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, causing Earth’s shadow to fall across the Moon.

In simple terms:

The Sun shines towards Earth.
The Moon moves behind Earth.
Earth blocks some of the sunlight that normally lights up the Moon.
As a result, part or all of the Moon becomes darker.
When all of the Moon becomes darker, we have a total lunar eclipse.

Is This a Total Lunar Eclipse?

The eclipse on 28 August will be a deep partial lunar eclipse, and not a total lunar eclipse.

This means that most of the Moon will enter Earth’s darkest shadow, known as the umbra, but a small part will remain outside it.

At maximum eclipse, about 96.2% of the Moon’s visible disc area will be inside the umbra. The eclipse has an umbral magnitude of about 0.93, meaning the umbra reaches across roughly 93% of the Moon’s diameter. These numbers describe two different measurements.

What Time Does the Eclipse happen in South Africa?

The eclipse takes place during the early morning of Friday, 28 August.

The main times in South African Standard Time are:

Penumbral eclipse begins: 03:23
Partial eclipse begins: 04:33
Maximum eclipse: 06:12
Partial eclipse ends globally: 07:51
Eclipse ends completely: 09:01

South Africans will not see the final stages because the Moon will set before the eclipse is over.

For most viewers, the best time to start watching will be from around 04:30.

What Happens During Each Stage?

Stage 1:

The eclipse begins at 03:23: The Moon first moves into the lighter outer part of Earth’s shadow, known as the penumbra. At this stage, the Moon will only become slightly dimmer. This change can be difficult to notice with the naked eye.

Stage 2:

The main eclipse begins at 04:33: The Moon then starts entering Earth’s darker central shadow, called the umbra. This is when the eclipse becomes much easier to see. A dark curved shadow will slowly move across the Moon, almost as though a bite is being taken out of it.

Stage 3:

Maximum eclipse occurs at 06:12: This is the deepest point of the eclipse. Around 96% of the Moon’s visible disc will be inside Earth’s dark shadow, leaving only a small portion brightly illuminated. This should be the most dramatic stage of the event.

Why Might the Moon Look Red?

The Moon may take on shades of red, orange or copper during the deeper stages of the eclipse. This happens because some sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere and is bent into Earth’s shadow before reaching the Moon.

Earth’s atmosphere scatters much of the blue light, while more of the red and orange light passes through. It is the same basic reason that sunsets often appear red or orange.

So instead of the Moon simply disappearing into darkness, the eclipsed part may appear dark red, copper or brown.

Image below: Courtesy of Angus Burns Photography Angus Burns Photography – Mullers Pass, Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, 7 September 2025

Where Should You Look?

Look towards the western horizon.

The Moon will be setting in the west while the eclipse is approaching maximum.

This means viewers should try to find:

An open area
A clear view towards the west
As few buildings or trees as possible
A location without mountains blocking the western horizon

This becomes especially important closer to 06:00, when the Moon will be quite low in the sky.

Which Parts of South Africa Will Have the Best View?

The western parts of South Africa will generally have the best view near maximum eclipse. This is because the Moon will remain higher above the horizon for longer in the west.

Approximate conditions at maximum eclipse at 06:12:

Cape Town: Moon around 11° above the horizon
Bloemfontein: Moon around 4° above the horizon
Pretoria: Moon around 2° above the horizon
Durban: Moon less than 1° above the horizon

Approximate moonset times are:

Cape Town: 07:12
Bloemfontein: 06:36
Pretoria: 06:25
Durban: 06:17

This means people in Cape Town and the western parts of the country should have a much better chance of seeing the Moon around maximum eclipse.

In the eastern parts of South Africa, viewers should start watching earlier rather than waiting until 06:12.

The image below, courtesy of Angus Burns Photography, reflects a partial lunar eclipse sequence on 16 July, 2019.

Why Will the Moon Be So Low?

The eclipse takes place shortly before sunrise in South Africa. As the morning progresses, the Moon will move lower towards the western horizon while the Sun approaches sunrise in the east.

So there are two things working against viewers later in the eclipse: the Moon becomes lower in the sky and the sky becomes brighter as sunrise approaches This is why the earlier stages of the partial eclipse could actually be easier to see in eastern South Africa than the moment of maximum eclipse.

Do You Need Eclipse Glasses?

No – a lunar eclipse is completely safe to look at with the naked eye. You do not need eclipse glasses because you are looking at the Moon, not directly at the Sun.

What Could Make the Eclipse Difficult to See?

Weather will be the biggest factor.

Even if skies are mostly clear, the Moon will be low near the western horizon, which means conditions close to the surface could make viewing difficult.

Things to look out for are cloud cover, low cloud, fog, haze and mountains or buildings along the western horizon. The eastern parts of the country will be particularly sensitive to poor visibility because the Moon will be extremely low by maximum eclipse.

The image below, courtesy of Angus Burns Photography, shows phases of a partial lunar eclipse that took place in 2017.

Weather Outlook for SA’s Partial Lunar Eclipse

South Africans hoping to catch a glimpse of the partial lunar eclipse early on Friday morning, 28 August, will experience very different viewing conditions depending on where they are in the country.

Cloud cover will be the biggest deciding factor. While some areas are expected to have mostly clear skies, others could struggle with low cloud, fog and thicker cloud around the time of the eclipse.

Western Cape:

Viewing conditions are not looking particularly favourable over the Western Cape. Mostly cloudy conditions are expected, with fog possible in places, particularly around Cape Town and the south-western parts of the province. This means the chances of seeing the eclipse are currently low in these areas.

Northern Cape:

The interior of the Northern Cape currently has some of the best viewing prospects in the country. Little cloud cover is expected across much of the interior, giving residents a good chance of seeing the eclipse. Along the coast, cloudy conditions are expected, resulting in low viewing chances.

Eastern Cape:

Conditions are more mixed over the Eastern Cape. Mostly cloudy skies are expected around Gqeberha, where viewing chances will be low. Conditions improve further east, with partly cloudy skies expected around East London, giving viewers a fair chance of catching the eclipse through breaks in the cloud.

Free State:

Partly cloudy conditions are expected across parts of the Free State, including around Bloemfontein. Some breaks in the cloud are expected, giving the province fair viewing chances.

North West:

Mostly clear to partly cloudy conditions are expected over much of North West. Overall, viewing chances look good, particularly where cloud cover remains limited during the early morning.

Gauteng:

Gauteng is expected to be partly cloudy during the eclipse. Despite some cloud, enough clear breaks are currently expected to give much of the province good viewing chances.

Limpopo:

Conditions are less favourable over Limpopo. Cloudy conditions are expected in places, with fog also possible, particularly towards the escarpment. This could significantly reduce visibility, resulting in low viewing chances.

Mpumalanga:

Cloudy and foggy conditions are also expected in places over Mpumalanga, particularly along the escarpment. Viewing chances are therefore expected to be low in these areas, although locations farther away from the escarpment may experience some clearer breaks.

KwaZulu-Natal:

KwaZulu-Natal currently has fairly favourable conditions, particularly along the coast. Mostly clear skies are expected along coastal areas, including around Durban, providing good viewing chances. The interior will be partly cloudy in places, with viewing chances depending on local cloud cover.

Where Are the Best Viewing Chances?

At this stage, some of the best viewing conditions are expected over the Northern Cape, North West and along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, with Gauteng also looking promising.

The Western Cape, Limpopo and parts of Mpumalanga currently have the poorest viewing prospects due to cloud and fog.

The Moon will also be very low towards the western horizon during the later stages of the eclipse. Even where skies are clear, viewers will therefore need an unobstructed view towards the west.

If the weather plays along, the early morning of 28 August should offer South Africans an impressive view as almost the entire full Moon slips into Earth’s shadow shortly before sunrise.

Happy sky gazing!

The infographic below is courtesy of the Centre for Astronomical Heritage and the 2026 Sky Guide.

A strong cold front is expected to reach South Africa on Sunday 09 August, followed by the development of a cut-off low from Monday. Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis rounds up the forecast for the Women’s Day long weekend and beyond.

Forecast confidence has improved for Sunday and Monday, with more than one model now indicating significant snowfall over parts of the eastern interior. However, Tuesday’s forecast remains uncertain.

Sunday 9 August

The cold front will move across the southern parts of the country, bringing cold, wet and windy weather.

🌧️ The heaviest rainfall is expected along the South Coast, including the Garden Route, and across large parts of the Eastern Cape. Up to 20 mm of rain could fall in some areas during the day.

❄️ Only light snowfall is currently expected over the mountains of the Western Cape, around Sutherland and the Nuweveld Mountains.

Heavier snowfall is likely over the mountains and high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape, where some locations could already receive around 10 cm of snow.

Snow will also begin spreading towards Lesotho, the southern Drakensberg and nearby high-lying areas.

Monday 10 August

A high-pressure system ridging behind the cold front will maintain cold, wet and windy conditions along the southern and eastern coastline, with another 10 mm of rain possible along parts of the South Coast.

Meanwhile, a cut-off low is expected to develop and bring heavier rain farther east.

🌧️ The heaviest rainfall is currently expected over KwaZulu-Natal, the Highveld and eastern Free State, where 15–30 mm could fall within 24 hours. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are also likely over Gauteng, Limpopo and North West.

❄️ Both the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and Global Forecast System (GFS) models are indicating the likelihood of significant snowfall over:

The Eastern Free State
The bordering areas of Free State and KwaZulu-Natal
The Mpumalanga Highveld, including areas around Ermelo, Dullstroom and Standerton
Lesotho and the southern Drakensberg
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, including areas around Underberg and Kokstad
High-lying parts of the Eastern Cape

Major travel disruptions are possible. Van Reenen’s Pass and other mountain routes could close.

As seen during the September 2024 snow event, vehicles can become trapped for hours. Avoid unnecessary travel between Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga on the public holiday and Tuesday.

Light snow remains possible over south-eastern Gauteng, including places like Delmas, Nigel, Benoni and Vereeniging.

Snow is not currently expected in Pretoria, and any snow falling with rain over Gauteng may struggle to settle.

Image: Snow at Van Reenen’s Pass, 2024 (image: The Citizen)

Tuesday 11 August

Tuesday’s rainfall and snowfall forecasts remain highly uncertain due to differences between the major forecast models.

🌧️ The ECMWF model is indicating potentially heavy rainfall over eastern Limpopo and Mpumalanga, with isolated totals of up to 50 mm. It is also showing up to 50 mm along parts of the East Coast.

However, the GFS model is not currently showing the same level of heavy rainfall over the north-east.

❄️ The ECMWF model is indicating further snowfall over:

The Mpumalanga Highveld
South-eastern Gauteng
The Eastern Free State
Lesotho and the southern Drakensberg

In contrast, the GFS model currently limits Tuesday’s snowfall mainly to the southern Drakensberg.

We therefore cannot yet say with certainty how Tuesday will unfold.

Important Forecast Note

More than one forecast model is now in reasonable agreement regarding the expected rain, cold and snow on Sunday and Monday.

However, the exact position and strength of the cut-off low will determine where the heaviest rain and snow occur, particularly on Tuesday.

Even a small shift in the system could significantly change the forecast.

Vox Weather will provide another detailed update on Sunday as the system moves closer and forecast confidence improves.

One thing remains certain: A MAJOR COLD BLAST IS ON THE WAY! 🥶❄️🌧️

Did you know that Vox Weather has partnered with the ontbyteSAKE slot on KykNET on Saturday mornings? The Vox Weather dedicated weather segment is designed to enhance the programme’s weather service and deliver meteorological data to farmers, helping them to make more informed operational and financial decisions.

Vox Weather has built its following of more than 700,000 viewers on the foundation of its data and the depth of its analysis.

Annette Botha, meteorologist and Vox Weather presenter, has been delivering the weekday forecast for four years on Die Groot Ontbyt and is now bringing that trusted weather to the Saturday OntbySAKE audience.

The Saturday morning weather segment provides detailed meteorologist-produced forecasting, tailored for both the general public and the agricultural sector, and complementing the existing weekday slot on South Africa’s largest Afrikaans morning show.

The forecaster content is built specifically for the farming audience to be meteorologist produced, data verified and precise enough to support operational decision-making in the field.

The primary sponsor of the Saturday weather segment is Laeveld Agrochem, a leading agricultural company that supplies crop protection products, plant nutrition and precision farming technology to farmers.

ontbyteSAKE has been on air for 25 years with a broad audience, including significant reach into the South African farming communities. The Saturday morning slot offers meaningful insights around frost, rainfall and temperature patterns throughout the critical growing periods. It offers information that can help farmers plan ahead and make sound financial decisions based on trusted weather data.

Annette explains: “Our viewers in the agricultural sector need more than a percentage chance of rain. They need to know where the frost is going to fall, where the extreme rainfall is, what the temperature swings look like. That level of detail changes how a farmer plans their week.”

The segment is also accessible to all viewers, offering a clear four-day preview of expected weather conditions across the country. While the weather forecasts air on Saturday mornings during the ontbyteSAKE segment, an additional mid-week forecast will be published every Tuesday evening across the ontbyteSAKE and Laveld Agrochem social media platforms.

The midweek updates provide viewers with a weather outlook through to Friday, helping both the public and weather-sensitive industries to plan ahead.

The 2025 / 2026 fires in the Western Cape, followed by the May 2026 floods, brought absolute devastation to some parts of the province, reminding us of the power of nature when it’s fully unleashed.

Vox Weather Meteorologists Annette Botha and Michelle du Plessis set out in the Subaru Crosstrek, in another episode of their ongoing quest to go ‘beyond the forecast’ – this time to find out more about the recent weather-related disasters. You can watch the video here – the visuals are a sober reminder of the power of nature.

Both the Western Cape’s Provincial Government and its citizens are still recovering from the recent devastating fires and floods, which affected more than 231,000 people and severely damaged farms, roads and critical infrastructure. Sadly, some people also lost their lives during these extreme weather-related events.

Annette and Michelle decided to look at these two very different weather extremes: first came the intense fire season, which was then followed just a few months later by severe flooding. They set out in the Vox Weather Subaru Cross Trek to talk to some of the people who had experienced these weather extremes on the frontline.

And so we hear from a helicopter pilot who spends most of his working life fighting fires from the sky; a marine conservation photographer who filmed some of the aftermath of the floods in a gyrocopter; and a regional operations manager for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), who was involved in some of the rescues during the flooding. Their stories, both individually and together, are inspirational and heart-warming.

Starting with the Fire Season

Hot, dry and windy conditions can very quickly turn a small fire into a deadly crisis. To understand what that looks like from the air, Annette and Michelle spoke to one of the fire pilots at Leading Edge Aviation, Mark Jackson, who runs the Lowveld-based company with his wife.

Mark explains: “We do a lot of aerial work, which includes some wildlife rescue work, but predominantly we’re involved in firefighting. For me, the defining feature of this recent fire season was how early and relentless it was. In 21 years of firefighting, I’ve never had to start so early.

“With the Gansbaai fires burning, our help was needed straight away. Working with our quick reaction force, we arranged to leave our normal base in the Lowveld and travel to the Western Cape to start suppressing those fires.

“From the first day, there were three solid ground teams, and the season never really slowed down from there.”

Mark clarifies that this fire season was more unpredictable and extreme than in recent years. He adds: “This was one of the busiest fire seasons I’ve seen. This was partly because we had very strong and warm berg winds. In this part of the country, they’re northerly winds that bring hot, dry air and this fire season, they were blowing at average speeds of around 40 to 50 kilometres an hour.

“These consistent winds were the strongest we’ve had in 30 years, and with winds like that, even the slightest ember or spot fire can blow up quickly, with the winds also, quite frequently, blowing all night. It helped to make the fire season unrelenting.”

Mark confirms that Leading Edge Aviation recorded 478 hours of firefighting and dropped about 8.2 million litres of water to quench the deadly fires.

He describes one particular moment that had an emotional impact on him, as follows: “We had a fire in the Wolseley–Tulbagh area that spread incredibly fast. It started next to a main road and was burning toward some wooden holiday cottages on flat ground. I circled overhead and signalled to the residents that the fire was coming. Watching people pack their belongings and leave in a hurry gave me goosebumps.

“We managed to put a line of water between the houses and the fire, and when we returned to refuel later, not one of those cottages had burned, and people were already putting their things back. It made the long distance we travel from home and the effort feel worthwhile!”

It’s incredible to think about the lives that Mark and his colleagues save – not only this year, but every fire season, due to the brave work they do in fighting the fires from the air.

From Dry Lands and Strong Winds to Saturated Grounds and Rising Rivers

After talking to Mark about the recent fires, Annette and Michelle then travelled in the Subaru Crosstrek to Morningstar Airfield near Cape Town to meet a pilot whose footage captured the flooding from the air.

Jean Tresfon is a marine conservation photographer, pilot and cameraman who flew over the flooded areas recently. He shot footage from a gyrocopter – a type of small aircraft used for surveillance and aerial photography – to document the aftermath, which helped many people to see exactly how serious the flooding was.

Jean explains: “The main day of flooding took place the day before I could fly. By the time I flew the following day, the water levels had dropped a little, which actually made the damage easier to see. Buildings that had been underwater were now exposed, and the damage was shocking, with farm fields plastered with mud, and infrastructure and many buildings heavily damaged or completely destroyed.”

When comparing these floods to previous major Cape storms, Jean notes that, in terms of river height and the volume of water, this was the worst flooding since 1925. He says it’s plausible that the fire season contributed to the flooding, from the perspective of the fires burning through the vegetation that normally holds soil in place.

“When heavy rain falls soon after a fire, you get severe erosion. While the fires didn’t effectively contribute to the volume of water coming down the mountain, they certainly made the impacts worse, because vegetation and topsoil were washed away. For example, at Mitchell’s Pass near Ceres, the road was extensively damaged, with soil from burnt slopes coming down onto the road and nearby railway track, and so yes, in that sense, the recent fires played a role in the extent of the flooding.”

Jean notes that floods were common in the early 1900s and then rare for a while, and now we’ve seen notable events in 2008, 2023 and 2024, and again in 2026: “The pattern suggests these extremes are becoming more frequent, and the fires are definitely more prevalent than they used to be, and so preparation is more important than ever.”

It seems that we can’t pin a single storm or season directly on climate change, but we are seeing a more variable climate and more extreme events overall.

Rescue Operations During the Floods

After listening to Jean’s information about the aerial views of the flooding, Annette and Michelle then went to the NSRI headquarters to learn more about how the recent flood rescue operations had unfolded on the ground. They spoke to Danie Verwey, who is one of the four regional operations managers for the National Sea Rescue Institute, and who reported that the rescue missions that took place were ‘hectic’.

Danie says: “After the heavy rainfall led to severe flooding across the Western Cape, volunteers and crews responded rapidly across multiple scenes. By the time we were activated, we already had several stations responding to call-outs throughout the day.

“One of the incidents people saw on social media was around Station 42, Kleinmond, responding in the Worcester and Rawsonville areas. The rescue crews really had to improvise: they couldn’t always reach casualties with boats, so they used anything they could find, including ladders, floating debris or anything that would get them to people stranded on roofs.”

Danie says there are many stories that stand out. “For example, in one case, crews scoped a house to see if anyone was trapped inside. They climbed onto the roof but couldn’t access the house through doors or windows because of the water, so they removed corrugated sheeting to enter from above.”

This kind of improvisation and bravery was common. If there is one main safety lesson for the public to learn from this event, it’s that if local authorities ask you to evacuate, you really should do so if you can!

Danie continues: “We know it’s not simple, and that you can’t always pack everything you love, but leaving when you’re advised to do so is usually the safest option. If you can’t reach higher ground, try at least to move out of the most affected area. Also, if you do evacuate, stick together in a group; it’s far easier for rescue teams to find groups than individuals.”

Annette notes: “From fire to flood, this all shows how quickly weather risks can change and how deeply they can affect lives, livelihoods and communities. That’s why we don’t stop at the forecast but instead aim to go beyond the forecast.”

Michelle concludes: “And from dry lands and strong winds, to flying over flooded fields and facilitating rescue missions, that’s another report from us on the harsh realities that the weather can help to unfold. We are thankful to Mark, Jean and Danie for sharing their experiences with us, as well as the incredible work that each of them does to share information and help to save lives.”

Winter in South Africa runs officially from the beginning of June to the end of August – that is, from a meteorologist’s point of view. So even if we get icy weather in May, we’re still only ‘officially’ in Autumn! Meteorological seasons are based on calendar months and average annual temperature cycles, making them more consistent for record-keeping and climate analysis.

And so, as we move towards mid-July and the halfway mark of winter, Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis gives us an update on winter so far, and what the coming months might bring.

June Rainfall and Temperature Patterns

June rainfall anomalies show that some seasonal models correctly picked up on the drier start to winter over the far west. However, June was not dry everywhere. More than one cut-off low system brought above-normal rainfall to parts of the summer rainfall region and the Southern Cape. Southern Namibia also stood out, with some areas receiving up to six times their normal monthly rainfall.

Although it may have felt cold at times, June was surprisingly warm overall. Across large parts of South Africa, both morning and daytime temperatures were above normal. Provincial temperature analysis shows that the Free State, North West, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal recorded their warmest average June temperatures since 1979, and possibly their warmest June on record.

El Niño Is Here

El Niño is currently one of the biggest talking points in weather and agriculture. But it is important to remember that El Niño is not something that will suddenly ‘hit’ South Africa – it has already started developing over the Pacific Ocean.

We are currently in weak El Niño conditions, meaning sea surface temperatures over the central and eastern Pacific Ocean are warmer than normal. El Niño is expected to continue through winter and spring, with an 81% chance of developing into a very strong event during October to December 2026. This would rank it among the largest El Niño events in the historical record dating back to 1950.

A very strong, or so-called ‘super’ El Niño, usually refers to an event where sea surface temperatures across large parts of the central and eastern Pacific remain more than 2°C above normal for an extended period.

Does A Strong El Niño Always Mean Drought?

No. South Africa has experienced strong El Niño events before, and they have not all produced the same outcome. During strong El Niño events in the 1980s and 1990s, many areas did experience drier-than-normal conditions, especially over the summer rainfall region. However, there were also parts of the country that still received normal or even above-normal rainfall, including parts of North West and the Free State during the 1997/1998 summer.

The major exception was 2015/2016. That was one of the strongest El Niño events on record and contributed to one of the worst droughts in modern South African history.

The key message is this: a strong El Niño does not guarantee drought. It increases the risk of drier-than-normal conditions, especially over the summer rainfall region.

A Better Starting Point Than 2015/2016

There is also some good news. Many dams are currently in a healthy state, and soil moisture looks better over large parts of the country than it did before the 2015/2016 drought.

The Vaal Dam is a good example. Since 2004, there have been 11 years where the Vaal Dam started June above 90% full, similar to this year. In all 11 of those years, the dam remained above 50% for the following nine months. Five of those years were El Niño seasons, including 2018 and 2023.

This does not mean we can relax, but it does give South Africa a stronger starting point if the coming summer does turn warmer and drier.

Seasonal Outlook: Winter Into Spring

Looking at the rest of winter and the start of spring, both the SA Weather Service and University of Pretoria forecasts agree broadly on one thing: the far west is likely to remain drier than normal.

There are still indications of above-normal rainfall over parts of the interior, especially where cut-off lows or upper-air low-pressure systems may develop. This is a pattern we started seeing in June already, with weaker cold fronts over the Western Cape and more active upper-air systems over the interior.

By late winter and early spring, the models begin to differ more noticeably. The SA Weather Service shows a possible wetter-than-normal signal over parts of the interior, while the University of Pretoria forecast is more mixed and even shows a drier signal in some areas.

This difference highlights the uncertainty that still remains. The atmosphere has not yet fully decided how it will respond to the developing El Niño.

Summer Outlook: Heat May Be the Bigger Risk

While below-normal rainfall remains an important risk, the biggest concern this summer may not only be drought, but extreme heat.

Most seasonal forecasts agree that South Africa can expect warmer-than-normal conditions from spring. This increases the chance of more frequent, longer and more intense heatwaves during the coming summer.

Higher temperatures also mean higher evaporation, increased water demand for crops and livestock, and greater pressure on soil moisture. When thunderstorms do develop, the extra heat and moisture can also help fuel more intense, isolated storms. So even in a season with a drier overall signal, heavy downpours, hail and localised flooding can still occur.

What Should Farmers and the Public Take from This?

Do not rely on one seasonal forecast alone. Seasonal forecasts give us an indication of the most likely scenario, but they are not exact predictions of what will happen on every farm.
Plan for a warmer-than-normal summer. This is currently the clearest signal across most climate models. Higher temperatures can increase water demand and heat stress for both crops and livestock.
Prepare for both extremes. A strong El Niño increases the risk of a drier summer, but it does not mean there will be no rain or storms. When the right conditions develop, thunderstorms can still become severe.
The good news is that there is still time. El Niño develops over months, not days. Regular monitoring, good planning and the use of short-term forecasts remain the best ways to manage risk.

We publish a new seasonal outlook every month on Landbou.com. Keep monitoring the latest forecasts, share this information with other farmers, family and friends, and use the time now to prepare for what the summer may bring.

May 2026 will always be remembered as being one of the most remarkable weather months in recent Western Cape and Southern Cape history. Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis shares the seasonal outlook for winter 2026.

Please note: All graphs and images are taken from the latest Langtermyn Landbou-Weervoorspelling, and you can also view the current seasonal Landbou show here.

The percentage of normal rainfall for May 2026 clearly shows just how unusual the month was. Large parts of the southern half of South Africa received above-normal rainfall, but the most extreme values were concentrated over the Southern Cape and parts of the Western Cape, where rainfall exceeded 400%, 600% and even 1,000% of normal in places. This means some areas received several times more rain than they would usually expect during May.

This exceptional rainfall was mainly driven by two major weather events. The first was a powerful cut-off low at the beginning of the month, which brought exceptional rainfall to the Southern Cape and Langkloof. Joubertina recorded 220 mm in 24 hours, while one Bokmakierie Holdings weather station in the Krakeelrivier region measured more than 1,000 mm during the event. The flooding around Krakeelrivier was described as some of the worst on record, with experts calling it a one-in-100-year rainfall event.

This system also caused dramatic dam level rises, with several dams recovering rapidly. Kouga Dam overflowed on 7 May, showing just how widespread and intense the rainfall was. Very cold air behind the system also brought widespread snow to parts of the Karoo and higher-lying areas.

The second major event followed shortly afterwards, when two strong cold fronts reached the Western Cape from 10 May. Ceres recorded 333.2 mm of rain in 24 hours on 11 May, breaking its highest daily rainfall record since measurements began in 1955. Ceres normally receives around 80 mm of rain during May, but by the end of the month, more than 500 mm had been recorded. This means the town received more than six times its normal May rainfall.

Runoff from the mountains caused the Breede River to rise rapidly. The flood levels recorded near Swellendam suggest that this was likely one of the largest Breede River floods in more than a century, and possibly the biggest since 1925.

Approaching Brandvlei Dam, the Breede River expanded to more than 1 km wide (above left). At the Diepsak Farm area there was massive damage to the farmlands, with whole orchards still underwater (above right).

Together, these two events defined May 2026: a month of broken rainfall records, historic flooding, rapid dam recovery and widespread snow.

ENSO Outlook

We are currently still in ENSO-neutral conditions, but the latest ENSO probability forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOOA), the US government’s official national weather service, is showing a strong signal for El Niño development later this year.

According to the forecast, there is an 82% chance of El Niño conditions developing during May to July, increasing to an almost 100% chance by spring.

The NOAA ENSO strength forecast also shows a notable signal for a stronger event later in the year. For the November 2026 to January 2027 period, it indicates about a 1-in-3 chance of a strong El Niño developing, and another 1-in-3 chance of a very strong El Niño developing. Combined, this suggests roughly a 2-in-3 chance of either a strong or very strong El Niño during that period.

So, while the signal for El Niño is currently very strong, it is important to remember that this is not a direct drought forecast. Local rainfall patterns are also influenced by many other factors.

For now, the key message is to keep a close eye on how the forecast develops over the coming months. Seasonal guidance is useful, but shorter-term forecasts will remain especially important when it comes to planning around rainfall, agriculture and water risks.

Seasonal Outlook: June, July, August (Winter)

The seasonal precipitation outlook for June, July and August shows a broadly similar picture from both the SA Weather Service and the University of Pretoria. Both forecasts indicate enhanced probabilities for above-normal rainfall across large parts of the summer rainfall region during winter, especially over the central and eastern interior. This suggests that parts of the country that are usually drier during winter could still receive some rainfall during this period.

The winter rainfall region, however, does not show the same strong or consistent signal. While some areas may still receive frontal rainfall during the season, the outlook does not point to a clear, widespread above-normal rainfall signal over the south-western Cape.

Overall, the two forecasts support a similar broad message: a wetter-than-usual winter signal over much of the summer rainfall region, with more uncertainty over the winter rainfall region.

Seasonal Outlook: August, September, October (Spring)

When looking at the late winter to early spring seasonal outlook for August, September and October, the two forecasts start to show more noticeable differences.

The SA Weather Service forecast still indicates a wetter signal across large parts of the interior, especially over the central parts of South Africa. However, the University of Pretoria forecast shows a more mixed picture, with indications of drier conditions over parts of the west and east, while some areas along the east coast still show a wetter signal.

This difference between the two forecasts highlights the uncertainty that remains for the late winter and early spring period. This is especially important as El Niño is expected to develop later this year, which could influence rainfall patterns as we move closer to spring and summer.

For now, the key message is that the seasonal signal is not yet fully consistent. It remains important to monitor the forecast closely over the coming months and to use shorter-term forecasts for more detailed planning.

Latest Dam Levels

The impact of the May rainfall was also clearly reflected in dam levels across the Western and Southern Cape.

By 2 June 2026, several major dams had shown dramatic increases compared to the end of April. The Kouga Dam rose from 32.6% to 101.0%, while the Impofu Dam increased from 36.8% to 100.9%. The Garden Route Dam also climbed sharply from 47.2% to 90.0%.

Further west, Theewaterskloof Dam increased from 46.5% to 71.1%, Berg River Dam from 46.2% to 75.8%, and Voëlvlei Dam from 50.0% to 59.7%.

These increases show just how significant the rainfall was during May. While the flooding caused severe damage in many areas, it also brought a major turnaround for several dam systems that had been under pressure earlier in the year.

Why it is still too early to make drought predictions for South Africa

After one of the better rainfall seasons so far across parts of South Africa’s summer rainfall areas, a new concern is starting to draw attention: the possibility of a strong, or even ‘Super’, El Niño later in 2026. This has already raised concern among farmers, agricultural businesses, water planners and other weather-sensitive industries. However, says Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis, it is important to approach the topic carefully.

While the chance of El Niño developing later this year is increasing, it is still too early to make direct drought predictions for South Africa. At this stage, the best message is one of awareness and preparation, not panic. We unpack this in the article.

What is El Niño?

El Niño forms part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, commonly known as ENSO. ENSO is a natural climate pattern linked to changes in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.

During El Niño, sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal. This warming can influence global weather patterns by shifting large-scale atmospheric circulation.

In southern Africa, El Niño is often associated with a greater chance of hotter and drier conditions during the summer rainfall season, especially over the interior summer rainfall regions.

However, El Niño does not affect every country or every season in the same way. It also does not automatically mean that drought will occur.

What are the latest forecasts showing?

According to the latest outlook from the US Federal Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ENSO-neutral conditions are currently present, but El Niño is likely to develop during May to July 2026. NOAA gives a 61% chance of El Niño emerging during this period and continuing through at least the end of 2026.

NOAA also indicates a roughly one-in-four chance that the event could become very strong later in the year, but notes that this depends on whether the atmospheric conditions over the equatorial Pacific continue to support further strengthening.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has also highlighted that ENSO-neutral conditions are expected in the short term, while the probability of El Niño increases later in 2026. WMO’s earlier update indicated around a 60% chance of neutral conditions during May to July, with the chance of El Niño rising to around 40% during that same period.

Here at home, the University of Pretoria’s Seasonal Forecast Worx April 2026 update also points towards the possible development of a strong El Niño state towards the end of 2026.

This means there is growing agreement that El Niño may develop later this year, but there is still uncertainty about how strong it will become and how directly it will affect South Africa.

What does ‘Super El Niño’ mean?

The term ‘Super El Niño’ is often used in the media to describe an exceptionally strong El Niño event. In scientific discussions, a very strong El Niño is usually linked to sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region reaching around +2.0°C or more.

However, ‘Super El Niño’ is not always used consistently. It can sound dramatic, and it can create the impression that severe drought is already guaranteed. That is not the case.

A strong El Niño increases the probability of certain climate impacts, but it does not guarantee the same outcome in every country. For South Africa, the strength of El Niño is important, but it is not the only factor that determines rainfall.

Too early to make drought predictions for South Africa

It is still too early to directly link the expected El Niño to a specific drought outcome for South Africa.

One reason is that ENSO forecasts are generally less reliable during the late autumn and winter months. Forecast confidence usually improves from around August and September, when the Pacific Ocean and atmosphere are more clearly coupled and the signal for the coming summer rainfall season becomes stronger.

This is especially important for South Africa, because the main ENSO-related impacts are usually felt during the summer rainfall season, from around October or November through to March. The current winter period is not expected to be significantly influenced by the developing El Niño signal.

For this reason, any strong statements about drought over South Africa should be treated with caution at this stage. It is more responsible to say that the risk of hotter and drier summer conditions may increase if a strong El Niño develops, but it is not yet possible to confirm the timing, severity or regional detail of those impacts.

South Africa’s rainfall is influenced by more than ENSO

Although El Niño is an important climate driver, South Africa’s rainfall is influenced by several other factors as well.

These include the position of high-pressure systems, moisture transport from the tropics and Indian Ocean, cut-off lows, tropical-temperate cloud bands, regional circulation patterns, sea surface temperatures near southern Africa, and shorter-term weather systems.

This means that even during El Niño years, rainfall can still vary significantly from one region to another. Some areas may experience long dry spells, while others may still receive important rainfall events.

It is also important to remember that only the summer rainfall regions of South Africa are typically more directly influenced by ENSO. The winter rainfall region, especially the Western Cape, is not affected in the same way during winter.

What can we learn from past strong El Niño events?

Historically, South Africa has experienced different outcomes during strong El Niño events.

The 1982/83 El Niño was linked to severe agricultural impacts and is remembered as one of the more damaging events for crops. However, the 1997/98 event, although globally one of the strongest El Niño events on record, did not produce the typical widespread hotter and drier summer season over South Africa in the same way.

This shows why we cannot simply say “strong El Niño equals drought”. The relationship is important, but it is not perfect.

El Niño increases the risk of certain conditions, but the final impact depends on how it interacts with other climate drivers during the season.

What could this mean for South Africa if a strong El Niño develops?

If a strong El Niño develops and persists into the 2026/27 summer rainfall season, South Africa’s summer rainfall areas may face an increased risk of warmer and drier conditions compared with normal.

For daily life, this could mean a greater chance of heatwaves, higher water demand, increased fire-weather risk in some areas, and pressure on household and municipal water use.
For agriculture, the main concern would be the timing and distribution of rainfall during the planting and growing season. Even if seasonal rainfall totals are not extremely low, poor rainfall timing, long dry spells between rainfall events, or very hot conditions during sensitive crop stages can still place crops and livestock under pressure.
For weather-sensitive industries such as mining, construction, tourism, logistics and supply chains, a hotter and drier summer could increase operational challenges. These may include heat-related working conditions, dust, water-use pressure, veld fire risk, and possible knock-on effects on agricultural production and food prices.

However, these remain possible risks, not confirmed outcomes.

What should farmers and weather-sensitive industries do now?

The key message is to prepare practically, but not to panic.

Farmers should monitor seasonal updates closely over the next few months, especially from August and September onwards when confidence in the summer outlook should improve. It may also be useful to start reviewing water availability, irrigation planning, planting decisions, fodder reserves, livestock heat-stress plans and financial risk strategies.

At the same time, short-term forecasts remain the most useful tool for immediate decision-making. A possible El Niño later in the year does not replace the need to monitor weekly rainfall systems, cold fronts, cut-off lows, heatwaves and severe weather warnings.

Is climate change making El Niño worse?

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon. It is not caused by climate change. However, it now occurs in a warmer global climate system.

This means that when a strong El Niño develops, it can add to already elevated global temperatures and increase the likelihood of heat-related extremes in some parts of the world. A strong El Niño in a warmer world can therefore have amplified impacts, especially when it comes to temperature.

For South Africa, this means that if a strong El Niño develops, the heat component may be particularly important to monitor during the 2026/27 summer season.

The key message for South Africa

There is growing evidence that El Niño may develop later in 2026, and there is a possibility that it could become strong. However, it is still too early to confirm a ‘Super El Niño’ or make direct drought predictions for South Africa.

The most responsible message is that the risk of hotter and drier conditions may increase for the summer rainfall areas during the 2026/27 summer season, especially from October or November into March, but this risk still needs to be monitored carefully over the coming months.

For now, South Africans should remain informed, follow trusted seasonal updates, and continue to use short-term forecasts for practical day-to-day planning.

A possible strong El Niño is something to watch closely, not something to treat as a guaranteed drought forecast.

Spring Outlook 2026

Subaru Extends its Partnership with Vox Weather

Spring is Springing!

Lunar Eclipse in South Africa on 28 August

Significant Snow, Heavy Rain and a Major Cold Blast on the Way!

Vox Weather Shares Specialised Agricultural Forecasting On ontbyteSAKE

Beyond the Forecast: Fire and Flood

Winter 2026 – How Are We Tracking?

Seasonal Outlook: Winter 2026 Has Arrived After a Record-Breaking May

Will We Have a Super El Niño in 2026/27?