The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is the meteorological service under the South African government's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. SAWS is a member of the World Meteorological Organization. The SAWS traces its lineage to the Cape of Good Hope Meteorological Commission, established in October 1860. The Union of South Africa's Weather Service was established in 1912 under the Department of Irrigation, with Charles M Stewart as its first Chief Meteorologist. At some point between 1912 and 1940, the SAWS' name was changed to the Meteorological Service, and in 1940, during the Second World War, became the responsibility of the Department of Defence. In 1949, the Meteorological Service was transferred to the Department of Transport, and became the South African Weather Bureau. It became housed under the Department of Environmental Affairs in 1986. Under the South African Weather Service Act (No. 8 of 2001) effective 15 July 2001, the Weather Bureau became the South African Weather Service as a public entity.

Data acquisition

Weather stations

South Africa operates a significant number of weather stations in South Africa as well as stations at Gough Island, Marion Island and Antarctica in cooperation with the South African National Antarctic Programme.

Weather radar

Near real-time (~5 minutes delay) weather radar is available for most of the country, even within the Kruger National Park.

Marine weather buoys

Between 30 and 40 drifting weather buoys are deployed annually.

Weather modification

The SAWS, in cooperation with a number of other entities, is actively involved in weather control research under the South African National Precipitation Research and Rainfall Enhancement Programme, specifically with the Bethlehem Precipitation Research Project.