Overview
- Gauteng recorded the coldest night of 2026 on Thursday, June 4, when Johannesburg fell to about 2–3°C, Pretoria to 4–5°C and Vereeniging to roughly 2°C.
- Johannesburg Emergency Management Services said it is on high alert and will monitor all seven municipal regions for cold-related incidents and fires.
- EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi warned residents to use heaters, braziers or imbaula only in well-ventilated areas and never leave heating devices or candles unattended.
- The South African Weather Service issued a yellow level 2 warning for disruptive snow and icy roads in high-lying parts of the Eastern Cape and a yellow level 4 warning for strong wind and waves between Plettenberg Bay and East London.
- The cold snap raises near-term risks of household fires and carbon-monoxide poisoning in homes using improvised heating and of travel disruption on mountain passes, so authorities urge vulnerable people to seek help and residents to call EMS on 011 375 5911 for life-threatening emergencies.