Gauteng Weather: Cold and Rainy Spell to Sweep Province from Thursday

• A cut-off low-pressure system is moving towards Gauteng, bringing rain and dropping temperatures from Thursday
• The cold snap follows a warmer start to September, with daytime highs expected to fall to around 18°C in several areas
• Gauteng residents took to social media to share mixed feelings about the return of cold and wet weather

Gauteng residents are in for a weather shake-up later this week, with a cold and rainy spell set to sweep across the province from Thursday, 18 September 2026.

After a relatively mild and warm start to the month, conditions are expected to shift noticeably as a cut-off low-pressure system, currently disrupting parts of the Northern and Western Cape, tracks eastward towards Gauteng. The system has already brought heavy rain, strong winds and hail to those regions.

According to the South African Weather Service, Johannesburg can expect rain on Monday with a high of 23°C, followed by mostly warm and sunny days before things turn colder towards the end of the week. By Friday, daytime highs in several parts of the province are forecast to sit at around 18°C to 19°C, with the cooler, wetter weather expected to linger through the weekend.

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Spring, but make it cold

Despite September marking the official start of spring, the season has not quite committed to warmth just yet. The month opened with a cold front before temperatures crept back up, and now another chilly spell appears to be on its way.

The arrival of the cut-off low could also bring much-needed rainfall to a province that has seen relatively dry conditions of late, though the wet weather may come with some disruption.

Read the full report here.

Mzansi reacts to the weather forecast.

Gauteng residents had plenty to say about the incoming conditions on the page:

Chrissie Minne said:

"Yes please, always say yes to rain!"

Beccy Stones was unfazed:

"21°C max isn't that cold."

Isabel Hodgson looked on the bright side:

"Yes, no more veld fires when it rains."

Karin Kl asked the real question:

"I don't know if I am excited for the rain. Is the rain excited about coming to us 🤔?"

Read also

Western Cape hits high of 35°C as Gauteng braces for rain and cloudy skies, South Africans react

Gerda Strydom set her conditions:

"Rain, yes. But not cold and frost for plants. And no thunder; otherwise we are without electricity again. Only nice soft rain without thunder and lightning."

More Briefly News stories on weather

• Severe weather warnings have been issued for several South African provinces, with dangerous thunderstorms, flooding and damaging winds expected.
• A taxi driver chased youths who drenched him with water on Spring Day, sparking debate over respect and consent.
• A warm start to spring is expected to give way to severe weather, with heavy rain and strong winds forecast in several provinces.

Source: Briefly News