Weather Service forecasts heat and storms for election voting days
Ongoing: Elections Hot
The South African Weather Service expects isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers during special voting on 2 and 3 November 2026. Conditions will be cooler in parts of the east on Election Day, 4 November 2026.
The weather service issued the outlook for voters in the 2026 Local Government Elections. It covers special voting days and Election Day. Areas named include the Northern Cape, North West, Limpopo, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern Drakensberg.
The weather service said parts of the country are likely to get below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures. It linked this to the developing El Niño weather pattern.
The weather service also gave advice to voters: "Voters are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly, particularly in areas where afternoon thunderstorms are expected."
Key facts
- Who
- South African Weather Service (issued the weather outlook and advisories)
- What
- SAWS issued a forecast for voters ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, covering special voting on 2 and 3 November 2026 and Election Day on 4 November 2026. It expects heat and isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, with cooler conditions in parts of the east on Election Day.
- When
- 1 November 2026
- Where
- South Africa, Northern Cape, North West
- Status
- Reported