September 18, 06:55IOL

Heavy rains, floods, and snow expected in South Africa on Friday

Strong rain, thunderstorms, and snow are forecast for various parts of South Africa on Friday, prompting the South African Weather Service to issue several severe weather warnings.

Residents of South Africa are preparing for a rainy and unsettled Friday as extensive rainfall, strong thunderstorms, destructive winds, and snow are expected in many areas of the country.

The South African Weather Service has issued a series of consequence-based warnings for Friday, September 18th. Among them is an Orange Level 6 warning for destructive rains along the KwaZulu-Natal coast and the adjacent inland area up to Richards Bay.

The highest probability of precipitation covers the central and eastern parts of South Africa. There is an 80% chance of widespread rain and thunderstorms in some areas of Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and North East Cape.

In other parts of the central and southern inland regions, there is a 60% chance of scattered rain, while in some areas of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North Cape, and the southern regions, isolated showers with a 30% probability are expected.

KwaZulu-Natal faces the greatest flood threat

KwaZulu-Natal is expected to experience the most severe impact from the harsh weather, with widespread downpours and thunderstorms and an 80% chance of rain over large areas of the province. An Orange Level 6 warning for destructive rains is in effect along the coast and the adjacent inland area up to Richards Bay. The Weather Service has warned of potential road flooding and inundation of formal and informal settlements, as well as danger to life due to fast-flowing streams and deep water.

These conditions could also lead to community displacement and loss of livelihoods and livestock. A Yellow Level 4 warning for destructive rains applies to the eastern and southern parts of the province, while strong thunderstorms are also possible in the northwest.

Eastern Cape prepares for floods and snowfall

The Eastern Cape will face a combination of heavy rain, flooding, and snowfall as temperatures drop. An Orange Level 5 warning for destructive rains has been issued for the municipalities of Port St Johns, Ngquka Hill, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and Ntabankulu. Flooding of settlements, roads, and bridges, as well as disruptions to essential services, is possible.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive rains is also in effect for coastal areas and the adjacent inland area between the town of Kogombo and Port St Johns. The eastern half of the province will be very cold, with snow expected over the northeastern highlands. A Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive snow has been issued for the municipalities of Matatile and Elundini, where difficult driving conditions and isolated livestock losses are possible.

The probability of rain reaches 80% in some parts of the eastern province, while scattered rain with a 60% probability affects other areas.

Severe thunderstorms over the central inland regions

The North Cape, Free State, and surrounding areas are also expecting significant thunderstorms. There is an 80% chance of widespread thunderstorms in the eastern parts of the North Cape and Free State, with a Yellow Level 4 thunderstorm warning issued over the far east-central North Cape. Heavy downpours, destructive winds, excessive lightning, and hail are possible, with expected consequences including localized flooding and infrastructure damage.

A Yellow Level 2 thunderstorm warning is in effect for the eastern North Cape, western Free State, and northwestern KwaZulu-Natal. Free State will be cloudy, windy, and cool, with scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms.

Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo await rain

Gauteng is expected to have cloudiness in the south and variable cloudiness elsewhere, with cool to warm temperatures and isolated showers and thunderstorms. The probability of precipitation in some parts of the province is around 30%. Mpumalanga will be cloudy and cool to cold, with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. In Limpopo, cloudiness is expected in the east and variable cloudiness elsewhere, with isolated showers and thunderstorms predicted mainly in the south and east.

The Northwest will be warm but increasingly unstable, with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms, and widespread storms in the far southwest.

Destructive wind threatens the Northern and Western Cape

Strong winds add danger to the western part. A Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive wind has been issued for the southern and western parts of the North Cape and the northern parts of the West Cape. Localized damage to settlements, power and communication outages, and difficult driving conditions are possible.

The West Cape will be partly cloudy and cool, becoming cloudy and cold in the east, where morning rains are expected in the far eastern areas. Southeast winds approaching gale force are forecast along the west coast. Very cold and humid conditions are also expected in the mountainous areas of the Eastern Cape and southwestern KwaZulu-Natal.

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Cold, humid, and windy conditions, heavy thunderstorms, and hail expected in South Africa

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hail are expected in some regions of South Africa. Overall, South Africa is preparing for Wednesday with variable cloudiness and cool or warm weather, with isolated or scattered rain forecasted in different parts of the country.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) reported that extensive rainfall is expected in the south on Wednesday, while particularly low temperatures are forecast for the Western and Northern Cape.

Forecast for Wednesday

According to SAWS data, Wednesday will feature variable cloudiness and cool or warm temperatures accompanied by isolated or scattered showers. Rainfall is expected widely in the south, whereas cold or very cold weather will prevail in some areas of the Western and Northern Cape.

The extended SAWS forecast for Wednesday and Thursday also indicates variable cloudiness and cool or warm weather with isolated or scattered rain and thunderstorms.

Conditions characterized by cold, humidity, and wind

SAWS has issued a warning about the onset of very cold, humid, and windy conditions that will affect the Western Cape and the Northern Cape. This warning is valid from Wednesday and will last until Friday, September 18, covering all of Wednesday and the following two days.

This warning marks the beginning of a period of unusually unstable weather in these two provinces.

Forecast for Thursday

The extended SAWS forecast for Thursday predicts continued variable cloudiness and cool or warm temperatures, with isolated or scattered rain and thunderstorms. However, in the southeastern part of the country, rain and thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread on Thursday.

Furthermore, SAWS reports that the weather in the western part of the country will be cold or very cold.

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Heavy rain, storms, and destructive winds expected in South Africa on Monday

Residents of several provinces in South Africa have been warned about the start of the week, which is expected to be rainy and potentially disruptive, as heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, and destructive winds are forecast for Monday.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of warnings based on potential impacts for Monday, September 14th. The most serious is a Level 4 Yellow Warning for disruptive rain over parts of the Western and Northern Cape.

This warning is due to extensive rain and thunderstorms expected in many areas of the western and central parts of the country.

Flood threat due to heavy rainfall

According to SAWS data, there is an 80% probability of rain and thunderstorms over a vast area stretching from parts of the Western Cape to the Northern Cape. In other parts of the Northern Cape and the central inland region, there is a 60% chance of downpours and thunderstorms, while in some areas of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, the probability of rain is 30%.

Isolated showers are also expected in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga with a probability of around 30%. The Level 4 Yellow Warning for disruptive rain covers the territories of the Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape. SAWS warns that the precipitation may lead to flooding of roads and settlements, as well as cause serious disruptions to transport.

Severe thunderstorms threaten the Northern and Western Cape

Additionally, a Level 2 Yellow Warning for severe thunderstorms has been issued for parts of the Northern and Western Cape. These storms could trigger localized flooding on vulnerable roads, low-lying areas, and bridges, and cause local damage to settlements in open areas.

A Level 1 Yellow Warning for severe thunderstorms is in effect in parts of the Eastern Cape, where storms are capable of damaging settlements and temporary structures, as well as causing local power and communication outages.

Destructive winds will blow across inland areas and the coast

Strong winds will exacerbate the complex weather conditions on Monday. A Level 2 Yellow Warning for destructive winds applies to a large inland area, including parts of the Northern Cape, North West province, Free State, and Limpopo. The weather service warns of possible localized damage to settlements.

Along the coastlines of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, Level 1 and Level 2 warnings for destructive winds are in effect. The Level 2 warning for the coast includes a risk to the navigation of small boats and vessels, as well as possible disruptions to small harbors, ports, and beach activities. In other areas along the affected coast, destructive winds may cause localized damage to settlements, power and communication outages, and hinder navigation.

iol.co.zaSeptember 10, 06:55

Warm weather expected across South Africa on Thursday, with isolated rain forecasted for southern regions

Most of South Africa is anticipated to experience a dry and warm Thursday, though some southern areas are expected to see isolated rain and thunderstorms. The South African Weather Service has provided forecasts indicating varied conditions across different provinces.

Residents across much of the country can look forward to a mostly pleasant and warmer day. However, specific regions, including parts of the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape, are warned about potential rain and scattered thunderstorms.

The rainfall chart suggests a 30% probability of precipitation in the affected zones, which encompass parts of the southern Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape, and sections of the southern Cape coast. No official warnings regarding fire danger or impact have been issued for Thursday.

Прогноз погоды по регионам

In Gauteng, the day is predicted to be fine and cool, though it will warm up significantly in the far north of the province. Due to the high UVB sunburn index, individuals spending long periods outdoors must take necessary sun protection measures.

Mpumalanga will begin the day with localized morning fog in the east, after which conditions are set to clear, leading to fine weather that ranges from cool to warm for the remainder of the day. Similarly, south-eastern Limpopo is forecast to have morning fog patches before transitioning into fine and cool to warm weather.

The North West region is expected to remain fine, with temperatures fluctuating between cool and warm. In the Northern Cape, much of the province will be fine and warm to hot, despite partly cloudy skies predicted in the southeast. Isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers have a 30% chance of occurring in the southeastern sections of this province.

Along the Northern Cape coastline, moderate to fresh winds blowing from the south to the southeast are anticipated. The Free State will start with morning fog patches in its eastern areas; otherwise, conditions will be fine and cool to warm, though the south may become partially cloudy.

The Western Cape is set to encounter morning fog along its southern coast, with other areas being partly cloudy and warm. Light rain is forecast along the south coast, where the chance of rain is noted at 30%. Coastal winds there are generally expected to be moderate south-easterly, potentially increasing to fresh or strong in the afternoon, while winds along the south coast itself will be moderate south-westerly. The province's UVB sunburn index is projected to be very high.

The western portion of the Eastern Cape will feature cool weather with light rain and morning fog near the coast. Inland areas will be partly cloudy and warm to hot before cloud cover intensifies later in the day, with a 30% likelihood of isolated showers and thundershowers. Moderate to fresh south-westerly winds are expected along the coast, sometimes strengthening to strong gusts. In contrast, the eastern half of the province will initially be fine before becoming partly cloudy and warm, while areas situated north of the escarpment will stay cool.

KwaZulu-Natal is expected to see morning fog patches over its northern interior before conditions settle into fine and cool to warm weather. Moderate to fresh northerly to north-easterly winds are forecast along the coast, and the UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high.

In summary, Thursday promises predominantly dry and stable weather for the northern and central parts of South Africa, whereas the southern regions will contend with intermittent rain and thunderstorms.