Sona 2026: navigating Cape Town's unpredictable weather amid preparations

Cape Town is doing what it does best ahead of Thursday's State of the Nation address (Sona): looking gorgeous, acting dramatic and reminding everyone that the weather will always have the final say.

Driving in from the Helderberg side, the stretch from Somerset West to the Parliament of South Africa is serving open skies - but don’t be fooled by the sunshine. It’s windy, with that sharp coastal breeze that makes you grip the steering wheel a little tighter.

And for a proper Cape Town touch, the clouds are lying low across the Helderberg Mountain, almost like they’re watching the chaos unfold below.

Meanwhile, closer to the city centre where Sona will be held later this evening, the windy conditions are more subdued, with just a light breeze in the air and sunshine in abundance. 

February in Cape Town is typically one of the city’s driest months, with warm daytime temperatures often sitting in the mid-20s.

Rainfall is usually minimal, which means Sona season tends to come with bright skies, summer heat, and that familiar south-easterly wind that loves turning a good hair day into a personal crisis. And this is the day I decided to get a blowout.

But even with mostly dry weather on the cards, the real storm is on the roads.

Last year’s Sona weather in Cape Town was unforgettable - but for all the wrong reasons for planners and anyone trying to keep a marquee upright.

A strong south-easter, famously known as the Cape Doctor, became a nightmare, with gale-force gusts strong enough to force the dismantling of an outdoor marquee and push event setups indoors at the last minute.

Event planners were cursing the elements as unpredictable winds quite literally blew plans off course - proof that in Cape Town, even summer comes with its own set of curveballs.

Meanwhile, the N2 today is expected to be packed, especially with increased security movement, road restrictions near the CBD and the usual peak-hour madness.

Add wind gusts and slow-moving traffic into the mix, and suddenly a quick commute turns into a full lifestyle experience - the kind that tests your patience and your fuel gauge.

There is also already a significant police presence in and around the city, ahead of the event last this event, with members of the SANDF also patrolling the streets.

But regardless of the wind or traffic, Cape Town is ready to host Sona 2026 in all its drama and pageantry. From the streets to parliament, the city sets the stage, reminding everyone that while speeches may shape the year, the city’s weather and spirit will always have the final say.