02 December 2025

Summer 2025/26 weather outlook: What South Africa’s weak La Niña means for travellers!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released its latest Seasonal Climate Watch for the period December 2025 to April 2026. According to the outlook, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is still in a neutral state; however, it is closing in on transitioning to a weak La Niña state. Predictions indicate that South Africa is moving towards a weak La Niña event during the coming summer season. Most predictions indicate that there will be a short and weak La Niña state during mid- and late summer. The usual effect of La Niña on South Africa is for an increased likelihood to receive above-normal rainfall over the north-eastern parts of the country during summer.
Most of the areas that receive significant rainfall in the coming summer are situated in the north-east of South Africa. Most of these areas are expected to receive above-normal rainfall during the forecast period up until late-summer.
Minimum temperatures are largely expected to be above-normal for most parts of South Africa during summer, with maximum temperatures likely to be below-normal for the north-eastern parts of the country and above-normal for the south-west. This increased likelihood of below-normal maximum temperatures indicates prolonged cloud cover and gives extra confidence in an above-normal summer rainfall season.


Subscribe for updates:

Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa. 

No comments:

Post a Comment