Heatwave in Mpumalanga and Limpopo: how hot, where, and what to do

Yes, there is a heat wave in parts of South Africa today, Monday 19 October 2026. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said a heat wave with persistently high temperatures is expected over the Mpumalanga Highveld, the southern parts of the Mpumalanga Lowveld, and the south-western Bushveld of Limpopo. Musina is forecast to reach 42C today.

SAWS reminded people to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, wear light clothing and seek shade where possible.

Where is the heatwave in South Africa today?

The heat wave areas named by SAWS are:

• The Mpumalanga Highveld
• The southern parts of the Mpumalanga Lowveld
• The south-western Bushveld of Limpopo

Elsewhere on Monday, SAWS expected cloudy and cool conditions along the east and south coasts, and partly cloudy and warm to hot conditions in most other places, with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms possible over the central and eastern parts of the country.

How hot will it get today?

Forecast highs reported for Monday 19 October include:

These are forecasts for Monday 19 October, not a promise for the rest of the week. Check SAWS for updates before you travel or work outdoors.

What should you do in a heatwave?

SAWS advice reported on Monday is simple:

• Stay hydrated
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day
• Wear light clothing
• Seek shade where possible

Take extra care with children, older people, and anyone working outdoors. If someone feels ill in the heat, move them to shade, help them cool down, and get medical help if they do not recover quickly.

Is there also a severe thunderstorm warning today?

Yes. SAWS also issued Yellow Level 2 warnings for Monday for severe thunderstorms over most of KwaZulu-Natal except the south coast and adjacent interior, damaging interior winds over the eastern Free State and western and eastern KwaZulu-Natal until Tuesday morning, and damaging winds and waves along the KwaZulu-Natal coast until Tuesday morning.

On Monday afternoon SAWS upgraded the severe thunderstorm warning for southern KwaZulu-Natal to Yellow Level 4 for 13:00 to 23:59, with heavy downpours, possible hail and excessive lightning. Avoid flooded roads and bridges, and stay indoors during severe thunderstorms where possible.

What is the outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday?

SAnews, reporting SAWS, said the outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday is fine and warm to hot in most places. Partly cloudy and cool weather is expected along the east and south coasts and in the adjacent interior, with isolated to scattered showers possible. SAWS did not, in the Monday report quoted here, give a single end time for hot conditions everywhere, so treat Tuesday and Wednesday as still warm to hot and check the latest SAWS forecast.