Cyclone Tracker South Africa
The Storm Tracks layer shows current position, past path, forecast path, and the cone of probable tracks.
RainViewer shows storm tracks on one map for the east coast of South Africa.
The Storm Tracks layer shows current position, past path, forecast path, and the cone of probable tracks.
Current cyclones near South Africa
South Africa has a long coast on the Indian Ocean in the east and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. Durban lies on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal. This list names each active tropical storm or cyclone near South Africa, with its category and status, and each storm links to its own tracker page.
No active tropical storm or cyclone is listed near South Africa.
Last updated:
How RainViewer shows storms
The South African Weather Service publishes the official weather warnings and storm information for South Africa. The Storm Tracks layer on the RainViewer map shows current position, past path, forecast path, and the cone of probable tracks. RainViewer does not replace official warnings.
See the full storm path
Tap any point on the path to see wind speed, category, and direction at that point.
Read the category in one place
Open any storm to see its category and intensity.
Get a notification when a storm approaches
RainViewer sends a Tropical Storm Alert when a storm approaches your area.
See South Africa storms in RainViewer
When is cyclone season in South Africa?
Cyclone season in South Africa runs from about mid-November to late April, according to Météo-France La Réunion.
A cyclone starts as a cluster of thunderstorms over warm ocean water. Warm, moist air rises from the sea surface. The air pressure near the surface drops, and more air flows in. The rotation of the Earth makes this air spin, clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. Weak winds high in the atmosphere let the system organize. A system with a closed circulation is called a tropical depression. It becomes a tropical storm when its winds strengthen, and a regional warning centre gives it a name. It becomes a cyclone when its winds reach cyclone strength.
Sea temperatures around South Africa are highest in the southern summer. This is the time of the most storm activity. Cyclones often form over the warm water of the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and in the Mozambique Channel. Cyclones rarely reach South Africa directly. Remnants of cyclones from the Mozambique Channel can bring rain to the northeast and to KwaZulu-Natal.
Storms in nearby regions
Looking for storms near South Africa? See the cyclone trackers for Mozambique, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, or open the tracker for all regions.
Cyclone Strength, From Depression To Super Cyclone
Depression (31–49 km/h)
A low-pressure area with organized rain. No name yet.
Deep Depression (50–61 km/h)
Heavy rain over a wide area, rough seas.
Cyclonic Storm (62–88 km/h)
The storm gets a name. Downed branches, flooding in low areas.
Severe Cyclonic Storm (89–117 km/h)
Damage to thatched roofs and power lines, coastal flooding.
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (118–166 km/h)
Roof damage to buildings, uprooted trees, storm surge on exposed coasts.
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (167–221 km/h)
Serious structural damage, communication and power lines down over a wide area.
Super Cyclonic Storm (222 km/h or higher)
Widespread destruction and major storm surge along the coast.
FAQ
Where can I see current cyclones near South Africa?
The cyclone tracker map on this RainViewer page shows current storm tracks near South Africa, and the list under the map names each active storm near South Africa. When no storm is active, the list says so and links to storms in other regions. Past storms near South Africa are listed further down the page.
When is cyclone season in South Africa, and which months are busiest?
Cyclone season in South Africa runs from about mid-November to late April, according to Météo-France La Réunion, the regional warning centre for the south-west Indian Ocean. The busiest months fall inside this period. Cyclones rarely reach South Africa directly. Remnants of cyclones from the Mozambique Channel can bring rain to the northeast and to KwaZulu-Natal.
Which official source issues cyclone warnings for South Africa?
The South African Weather Service publishes the official weather warnings for South Africa, and Météo-France La Réunion publishes forecasts and advisories for every active storm in the south-west Indian Ocean basin. RainViewer shows storm tracks on a map and does not replace official warnings. Météo-France is the source for official basin forecasts.
What does the forecast cone show on the South Africa map?
The forecast cone on the RainViewer map shows the probable track of the center of a storm during the forecast period. The cone does not show how far wind, rain, or storm surge reach from the center, so areas outside the cone can still have storm effects. The cone is part of the Storm Tracks layer, together with the current position, the past path, and the forecast path.
Where can I see rain radar for South Africa?
RainViewer shows rain radar for South Africa, and the South Africa weather radar page lists radar coverage and links to city radar pages. RainViewer updates radar every 5 minutes. Radar shows rain inside a storm. The Storm Tracks layer shows where the storm is moving.
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