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Wet and cool climate conditions expected for SA over Easter weekend

Wet and cool climate conditions expected for SA over Easter weekend
Ethan van Diemen
By Ethan van Diemen
16 Apr 2025
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The South African Weather Service has forecast wet and cool weather conditions over many parts of SA over the Easter period.

A spell of wet, cool weather is expected to prevail over parts of South Africa over the Easter weekend, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the eastern half of the Eastern Cape. 

According to the South African Weather Service (Saws), heavy rain and thundershowers have been sweeping through KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the eastern half of the Eastern Cape, with a warning for disruptive rainfall in place. 

On Tuesday, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said that the department would “coordinate possible road closures and observation of major routes in consultation with N3 Toll Concession” in response to a weather report from Saws informing them of a cold front resulting in lower temperatures and heavy rainfall. That weather report included the possibility of snowfall. 

“Drawing from our past experience, we are fully aware of hazards and havoc associated with the snow. Not long ago, we experienced an extreme heat index of 30 degree Celsius, but we are now bracing ourselves for possible snowfall and heavy rainfall.

“These are the realities of erratic weather patterns caused by climate change,” said Duma.

Read more: From stranded to saved: how the N3 snowstorm brought South Africans together in kindness

These downpours are now set to gradually ease off from Thursday onwards, according to Saws.

Despite the gradual clearing in certain provinces, holidaymakers should prepare for lingering light showers along the east and southeast coast into the weekend.

From Friday through Saturday, isolated showers and thundershowers remain possible, particularly in the northeastern parts of the country, while temperatures are expected to stay cool to warm during the day.




On Sunday and Monday, a surface trough over the western interior is likely to bring scattered showers and thundershowers across the western and southern parts of the country. This could create a fresh round of challenges for those returning from their Easter break. 

Thania Dhoogra, chief operating officer of N3 Toll Concession, said on Wednesday: “We expect an increase in leisure travellers and public transport vehicles, such as buses and taxis, on the N3 Toll Route. However, we do not expect a decrease in truck traffic during this period. 

“Our road users should, therefore, be prepared for congested traffic conditions and slower travel times. Please anticipate potential hazards or problems on the road and plan accordingly. It is our collective responsibility to ensure our road network is safe for all its users.”

Easter is typically one of the busiest times on South Africa’s roads, with many using the long weekend for religious gatherings or family holidays. In particular, those journeying on the N3 toll route between Gauteng and KZN should anticipate unpredictable traffic patterns. 

From midday on Thursday, traffic heading southbound towards KZN is set to rise, with congestion expected to continue well into the late afternoon before easing around 7pm. Early on Friday, at about 4am, volumes are predicted to surge again and persist until around 10am, according to the N3 Toll Concession.

For those travelling back north towards Gauteng after the weekend, busier roads are likely from 10am on Easter Monday, 21 April, and may remain congested until around 8pm. DM

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