Voting tomorrow? Expect up to 32°C and afternoon storms in Gauteng
SAWS expects a hot, dry election day in the centre and west and afternoon thunderstorms in the east. Pretoria could reach 32°C, Johannesburg 30°C and Cape Town 28°C.
Expect a hot, mostly dry election day in the centre and west of the country on Wednesday, 4 November, and a cooler, cloudier day in the east with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) says (SAnews).
If you plan to vote in Gauteng, going in the morning is your best bet. Storms could build over Pretoria and Johannesburg in the afternoon (EWN).
What does SAWS expect on election day?
SAWS forecasts fine and warm to very hot weather over the central and western parts of South Africa. Parts of the east will be partly cloudy and cool, with morning drizzle possible along the eastern Drakensberg and isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers (SAnews).
The weather service said it would keep watching conditions through the voting period and issue warnings if needed. No election day warning had been quoted in its outlook at the time of writing.
How hot will it be in my city?
| City | High | Low | Rain chance | Thunderstorm chance | UV index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pretoria | 32°C | 20°C | 55% | 33% | 13 (extreme) |
| Johannesburg | 30°C | 17°C | 55% | 33% | 13 (extreme) |
| Cape Town | 28°C | 16°C | Low | Not expected | 5 (moderate) |
Source: AccuWeather figures reported by EWN.
Pretoria could get about 1.3mm of rain and Johannesburg about 2.2mm, so any storms are expected to be short. Cape Town should be warm with high cloud and little chance of rain (EWN).
What should I take to the voting station?
Queues can be long, so SAWS advises voters to drink enough water and protect themselves from the heat where very hot weather is expected. Where storms are forecast, take an umbrella or raincoat. If you're driving, leave extra time and take care on wet roads when visibility drops (SAnews).
With a UV index of 13 forecast for Pretoria and Johannesburg, a hat and sunscreen are worth packing if you'll be standing outside.
Where can I check for warnings on the day?
Use the official SAWS website, weathersa.co.za, or its app for the latest forecasts and warnings. Forecasts can change, especially for afternoon storms.
FAQ
Will it rain on election day, 4 November 2026?
SAWS expects isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers in the east. The centre and west should be fine and hot.
How hot will Pretoria be on election day?
AccuWeather, as reported by EWN, forecasts a high of 32°C in Pretoria with a 33% chance of thunderstorms.
What is the best time to vote to avoid storms in Gauteng?
Thunderstorms are forecast for the afternoon, so voting in the morning lowers your chance of getting caught in one.