Voting on 4 November? Heat in the west, storms in the east
SAWS expects warm to very hot weather in central and western SA on election day, 4 November, with cool mornings and afternoon storms in the east. Special votes on 2 and 3 November face heat and isolated thundershowers.
Voters in the central and western parts of South Africa should prepare for heat on election day, Wednesday 4 November, while the east could see a cool, cloudy start and afternoon thundershowers. That's the outlook the South African Weather Service (SAWS) released on Friday for the special voting days and election day (TimesLIVE).
Special votes run on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 November, from 08:00 to 17:00, for both home visits and voting station visits. On election day, stations open from 07:00 to 21:00 (IEC election timetable).
What weather is expected on each voting day?
| Day | What's happening | SAWS outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 1 November | Day before special votes | Partly cloudy, warm to hot over most of the country. Very hot in places over the Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and the Mpumalanga Lowveld. Isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers in most areas, scattered over parts of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga |
| Monday 2 November | Special votes, 08:00 to 17:00 | Similar to Sunday, with isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thundershowers in several areas |
| Tuesday 3 November | Special votes, 08:00 to 17:00 | Similar to Sunday, with isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thundershowers in several areas |
| Wednesday 4 November | Election day, 07:00 to 21:00 | Fine and warm to very hot over central and western parts. Partly cloudy and cool in places in the east, with possible morning drizzle along the eastern Drakensberg and isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers |
Sources: TimesLIVE, [The South African](TSA), IEC timetable
Where will it be hottest?
SAWS singled out the Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and the Lowveld of Mpumalanga as the places likely to be very hot in the run-up to voting. On election day itself, the heat shifts to the central and western interior (TimesLIVE).
If you're in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape or Mpumalanga, the bigger concern is afternoon storms rather than heat. Queues that stretch into the afternoon are the most likely to be caught out ([The South African](TSA)).
What does SAWS advise voters to do?
The weather service's guidance, as given by senior forecaster Tokelo Chiloane (TimesLIVE):
- drink enough water and limit heat exposure where very hot weather is expected
- take an umbrella or raincoat where showers and thundershowers are forecast
- leave extra time to get to your station and drive carefully on wet roads, especially when visibility drops
- keep an eye on official SAWS forecasts and warnings, which can change
Chiloane said spring weather can change from day to day. SAWS says it will keep monitoring conditions through the voting period and issue severe weather warnings if needed (TimesLIVE).
Why is it so hot for this time of year?
SAWS links the outlook to a developing El Niño pattern. Its seasonal forecast points to below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures in parts of the country, though showers and thundershowers can still form in some areas (TimesLIVE).
Where can I check for weather warnings?
Updated forecasts and any warnings are published on the SAWS website and its official social media accounts. Warnings issued closer to the day will be more precise than this outlook, which covers the country in broad strokes ([The South African](TSA)).
FAQ
What will the weather be like on election day, 4 November 2026?
SAWS expects fine and warm to very hot weather over central and western South Africa, and partly cloudy, cool conditions in parts of the east with possible morning drizzle along the eastern Drakensberg and isolated afternoon thundershowers.
When are special votes for the 2026 local elections?
Special votes take place on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 November 2026, from 08:00 to 17:00, for home visits and voting station visits, according to the IEC timetable.
Which provinces will be very hot before voting?
SAWS said places in the Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo and the Mpumalanga Lowveld are expected to be very hot on Sunday 1 November, with similar conditions on the special voting days.
What time do voting stations open on 4 November?
Voting stations are open from 07:00 to 21:00 on election day, according to the IEC.