EAST London started the New Year on a high, with temperatures peaking at 29°C.

However, light rainfalls during January are expected to break the heat. The showers should begin on Saturday, 13 January, with rain in and around East London and King William's Town.

"Light rain is expected in the King William's Town and East London areas on Saturday, but temperatures will [reach] 26°C," said weather forecaster Selebaleng Gabei, adding that light rains were normal for this time of year.

This year the rainfall is expected to be about 40 percent higher than normal. According to SA Weather Service, the government weather agency, average rainfall for this time of year is 69 millimetres, while last year's rainfall was higher than in previous years.

Temperatures should range between 18°C and 29°C, although Gabei said the weather bureau had expected the temperatures to be higher than this. Meanwhile, Bhisho should be slightly cooler, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 27°C.

For the next week it will still be beach weather in East London, with temperatures expected to be in the high 20s. Thursday should be the hottest day, with the mercury reaching 29°C.