Cold and windy weather for voter registration this weekend
· The South African
South Africans heading to voter registration stations this weekend are being urged to prepare for cold, cloudy and windy weather across large parts of the country.
The Electoral Commission will open 23 706 voting stations nationwide on Saturday and Sunday, 20 and 21 June 2026, with registration taking place between 08:00 and 17:00 each day.
Visit esporist.com for more information.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), predominantly cloudy and cold conditions are expected over the central and eastern regions of the country, while the far western areas can expect warmer weather.
Weather forecast for today & tomorrow: 19 – 20 June 2026.
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 19, 2026
Partly cloudy & cold conditions are expected, but it will be cool in places over the south-western parts. Isolated to scattered showers & thundershowers are possible over the central, western & eastern parts of RSA. #saws pic.twitter.com/ZCdOPTQLAc
Rain and thunderstorms forecast
SAWS has forecast isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over parts of the Northern Cape, Free State and North West on Saturday.
The wet weather is expected to spread on Sunday, affecting additional areas including Gauteng, Limpopo and parts of the Eastern Cape.
Light rain is also possible in sections of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Strong winds trigger warning
A Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging winds has been issued for parts of the Northern Cape and Western Cape from Friday through to Sunday afternoon.
Affected areas include:
- Northern and western parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape.
- Northern parts of the West Coast District in the Western Cape.
Yellow Level 1 warning update: Damaging winds
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 19, 2026
Affected area: Northern & Western Cape
Validity period: 19 – 21 June 2026.#saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/pufyDgJU61
SAWS warned that strong winds could:
- Cause localised damage to temporary structures.
- Affect informal settlements.
- Lead to travel disruptions and longer journey times.
- Create difficulties for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes.
Advice for voters
The weather service has encouraged citizens planning to visit registration stations to:
- Dress warmly.
- Carry rain gear where necessary.
- Allow extra travel time.
- Stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
SAWS noted that the combination of cold temperatures, rain and gusty winds may create uncomfortable outdoor conditions for people travelling to and from voting stations.
The public is also urged to rely only on official weather forecasts and warnings and avoid sharing unverified weather information circulating on social media.
With thousands of registration centres open across the country, voters are encouraged to plan ahead and make allowances for potentially challenging weather conditions during the weekend.