If you were thinking of heading out this weekend, you might want to rethink your outfit. Very cold conditions and strong winds are expected across several parts of South Africa from Friday into Saturday.

The South African Weather Service has issued the forecast for 11 June 2026, and it's not looking lekker for those in the south. The Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Free State will feel the chill most — with temperatures dropping to very cold levels, especially along the Lesotho border and in the southern parts of the Northern Cape.

Let's break it down per province.

Gauteng

Gauteng will be fine and cool. The UVB sunburn index is high, so if you're in Joburg or Pretoria, don't let the cool fool you — slap on that sunscreen. For context, Gauteng is the smallest province by size (18 178 km²) but the biggest by population, with about 16 million people.

Mpumalanga and Limpopo

Mpumalanga will be fine and cool, but warm in the Lowveld and escarpment. Limpopo has morning fog patches in the west, otherwise fine and cool to warm. So if you're in Mbombela or Polokwane, you might get away with a light jacket.

North West and Free State

North West starts with partly cloudy skies and morning fog in the east, then fine and cool to warm. But Free State? That's where it gets real. Partly cloudy and cool, but cold along the Lesotho border. The Free State is the third largest province (129 825 km²) but has only 2.9 million people — so plenty of open space for that cold wind to whip through.

Northern Cape —

the big chill

The Northern Cape, South Africa's largest province at 372 889 km², will be partly cloudy and cool, but cold to very cold in the south. There's a chance of rain in the south and south-west in the morning. The wind along the coast will be light south-westerly to westerly in the morning, then moderate southerly to south-easterly. Kimberley residents, keep the heaters on.

Western Cape — rain and wind

The Western Cape will be cloudy to partly cloudy and cold, with scattered showers and rain in the extreme south-west, and isolated showers in the south-west and along the south coast until early afternoon. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh westerly to north-westerly, but strong south of Cape Point, becoming westerly to south-westerly from the afternoon. The UVB index is moderate, so at least you don't have to worry about sunburn while you're shivering.

If you're in the southern parts of the country, this weekend isn't the time to be caught without a warm coat. Strong winds mean wind chill will make it feel even colder. And if you're driving, watch out for possible rain on the roads in the Western and Northern Cape.

So grab your beanies, dig out those gloves, and if you can, stay indoors with a warm cup of rooibos. This winter isn't playing around.