Key Takeaways
- A continental tropical low has dissipated over northern Botswana, releasing significant amounts of moisture over eastern South Africa, leading to persistent rainfall and localized flooding.
- The SA Weather Service has issued various warnings for disruptive rainfall, severe thunderstorms, and damaging winds across the country.
- Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over the western parts of Northern Cape and the north-western part of Western Cape.
- Regional forecasts predict cloudy and cool to warm conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers in many areas.
- Travellers are advised to check the latest forecast before embarking on their journeys.
Introduction to the Weather Forecast
The latest forecast from the SA Weather Service, updated on December 21, 2025, indicates that a continental tropical low that was situated over northern Botswana has dissipated, releasing significant amounts of moisture over the eastern parts of South Africa. This has resulted in persistent rainfall throughout the day, which is likely to cause localized flooding, especially on roads. The SA Weather Service has issued several warnings for the day, including a level 5 warning for disruptive rainfall over parts of Limpopo, and level 4 warnings for disruptive rainfall, severe thunderstorms, and damaging winds in various parts of the country.
Weather Warnings and Alerts
The SA Weather Service has issued several warnings for Sunday, December 21, 2025. These include a level 5 warning for disruptive rainfall over parts of Limpopo, which is expected to lead to flooding of roads, formal and informal settlements, and major disruption of traffic flow. Level 4 warnings have been issued for disruptive rainfall in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, as well as parts of North West and the Free State. Additionally, level 4 warnings have been issued for severe thunderstorms in the western interior of KwaZulu-Natal, and level 2 warnings for severe thunderstorms in the extreme eastern parts of Northern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. A level 2 warning has also been issued for damaging winds between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay.
Regional Forecasts
The regional forecasts for Sunday, December 21, 2025, predict cloudy and cool to warm conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers in many areas. In Gauteng, it is expected to be cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers. Mpumalanga is expected to be cloudy and cool to warm with widespread showers and thundershowers, but scattered in the western Highveld. Limpopo is expected to be cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread in the east. The Northern Cape is expected to be fine in the extreme west with morning fog along the coast, otherwise partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers.
Travellers Forecasts
Travellers are advised to check the latest forecast before embarking on their journeys. The forecasts for various cities include cloudy conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Vereeniging. Mbombela is expected to be cloudy with widespread showers and thundershowers, while Polokwane is expected to be cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers. Mahikeng is expected to be cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers, and Rustenburg is expected to be cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers. Bloemfontein is expected to be cloudy with scattered showers and thundershowers, and Kimberley is expected to be cloudy with scattered afternoon showers and thundershowers.
Conclusion and Additional Information
In conclusion, the weather forecast for Sunday, December 21, 2025, indicates that significant rainfall and localized flooding are expected in many parts of South Africa. The SA Weather Service has issued several warnings for disruptive rainfall, severe thunderstorms, and damaging winds, and travellers are advised to check the latest forecast before embarking on their journeys. Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over the western parts of Northern Cape and the north-western part of Western Cape. The public is encouraged to send photos and videos of weather-related incidents to the SA Weather Service via WhatsApp, and to follow their channels for updates. The forecast is usually updated a few times per day, and the public is advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
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