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 agency is similar to the United States' National Weather Service.
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Under the South African Weather Service Act (No. 8 of 2001) effective 15 July 2001, SAWS became a public entity.
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