South African Weather Service

The South African Weather Service (SA Weather Service) provides weather forecasts and warnings for the public, aviation and marine sectors. It delivers aviation meteorological products such as flight‑path forecasts, turbulence alerts and aerodrome weather reports to support safe air travel. Its marine services include coastal and offshore forecasts, wave and wind predictions and storm surge information for shipping and fisheries. The organisation also issues public weather alerts and updates through various channels, including social media during service disruptions. These core functions are essential for protecting life, property and economic activities linked to weather conditions.

As South Africa’s national meteorological authority, SA Weather Service operates under a mandate to supply authoritative weather information. Its headquarters are situated in South Africa, from where it coordinates its observing and forecasting operations. The agency is distinguished by its specialised focus on aviation and marine meteorology, which are essential services for those industries. During the January 2025 cyber attack, it activated contingency plans, used social media to communicate with stakeholders and restored systems with the help of external experts and internal technicians. The response highlighted its role as critical infrastructure and its capacity to maintain essential meteorological services despite ICT disruptions.