Blood Moon or rainy skies in SA? Here’s what the weather forecast shows

South Africa braces for a night of celestial drama as a rare total lunar eclipse, known as a Blood Moon, will rise on Sunday, 7 September.

However, clear skies will determine whether viewers can actually see it.

Here’s what the weather forecast looks like across several regions in South Africa…

Will the Blood Moon be covered by clouds?

On Sunday, 7 September, a rare total lunar eclipse will paint the night sky fiery red. This isn’t just any eclipse—it’s set to be the longest total lunar eclipse since 2022, offering skywatchers a prime viewing opportunity.

The entire country can see the eclipse if the skies remain clear. Clouds or mist could entirely block the view, leaving stargazers staring at grey skies instead of a glowing red moon.

Meteorologists warn that early September often brings unsettled spring weather to parts of South Africa, so some regions may enjoy perfect viewing while others miss out.

Here’s what the main regions may expect on 7 September:

Johannesburg

• Evening skies start cloudy around 19:00 (about 22 °C), with gradually clearing conditions later.
• Peak eclipse (around 20:11) begins with cloud cover, which could obscure the view.
• If clouds persist into the night, the eclipse may remain partially hidden to fully visible depending on specifics.

Cape Town

• Cape Town could experience mostly clear skies through the evening, with some intermittent cloud cover around 19:00 to 20:00.
• Weather conditions may improve after 21:00, offering better visibility for the later stages of the eclipse.
• The outlook is quite favourable overall, although earlier partial phases might be slightly muted by passing clouds.

Durban

• Durbanites may have the best viewing opportunities, as clear skies are predicted throughout the evening and night.
• Outstanding viewing conditions are expected, with little to no cloud interference expected during the critical eclipse window.

Timing the eclipse

The total eclipse phase will last just over an hour, with peak redness around 20:11. Even if thin clouds pass through, the blood-red glow should still be visible at times. The earlier and later partial phases may be harder to see through haze.

For those who get clouded out by bad weather, astronomy groups and observatories are expected to stream the eclipse online, ensuring no one completely misses this rare moment.