October 10, 08:00IOL

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds threaten parts of South Africa over the weekend

The South African Weather Service has warned of possible severe thunderstorms and localized flooding in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal regions on Saturday.

Residents of South Africa are preparing for a weekend with contrasting weather conditions: some areas are expected to experience severe thunderstorms, torrential rain, hail, and gusty winds, while other regions will face scorching heat and extremely high fire danger.

SAWS issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms on Saturday, with the greatest impact expected in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

This warning comes as large parts of the country prepare for afternoon downpours and thunderstorms, with the probability of precipitation ranging from 30% to 60% in several provinces.

According to SAWS, severe thunderstorms may trigger localized flooding of roads, low-lying areas, and bridges, while strong winds, hail, and lightning can damage infrastructure, housing, vehicles, and livestock.

The warning is valid from 13:00 to 22:59 on Saturday, with the highest risk in Mpumalanga Highlands and northwestern KwaZulu-Natal.

Mpumalanga and KZN on alert for severe storms

Mpumalanga is expected to have partly cloudy and warm weather on Saturday with isolated or scattered showers and thunderstorms. The probability of precipitation will reach 60% in some parts of the province, especially in the Highveld area, where thunderstorms may intensify in the afternoon and evening.

In Lowveld, heat will persist in places, and morning fog is expected over the eastern areas. In KwaZulu-Natal, the day will start with hot or very hot weather across most of the province, followed by an increase in cloud cover leading to rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The northwestern parts of the province have a 60% chance of rain, with severe thunderstorms capable of causing torrential rain, hail, gusty winds, and lightning. In other parts of the province, the probability of rain and thunderstorms is 30%. SAWS warned that storms could cause localized damage to informal settlements, property, and infrastructure, and lightning activity could disrupt municipal services.

Gauteng anticipates afternoon thunderstorms

Residents of Gauteng are forecast partly cloudy and warm or hot weather on Saturday with isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms. The probability of precipitation in the province is 30%, with eastern areas potentially experiencing stronger thunderstorms. SAWS also identified the easternmost parts of Gauteng as an area where thunderstorms could become severe.

Residents are advised to exercise caution during thunderstorms, especially when traveling on roads at risk of flooding. The UVB sunburn index is expected to remain high.

Rain will extend to Free State, North West, and Eastern Cape.

North West and Free State will experience good weather early Saturday before becoming partly cloudy and warm or hot. Both provinces have a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms, with thunderstorms likely developing later in the day.

Eastern Cape is expected to have unstable conditions throughout the interior, with precipitation chances ranging from 30% to 60%. The northern and eastern interior parts will see isolated or scattered thunderstorms, while some parts of the southern coast will remain cloudy and cool. Morning fog and drizzle are also expected in areas south of the escarpment.

Limpopo and North Cape face dangerous fire conditions.

While thunderstorms threaten parts of the country, extremely high fire risks are expected in Limpopo, parts of the North Cape, and western Free State. Limpopo will have partly cloudy and warm or hot weather, with very hot conditions in some areas. Southern parts of the province have a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms, while most of the northern interior is expected to remain dry.

The North Cape will also experience warm or hot weather, with isolated thunderstorms carrying a 30% chance of rain in some inland areas. Coastal areas will remain cooler, and fresh or strong southerly to southeasterly winds are expected in the afternoon.

Western Cape avoids widespread thunderstorms

The Western Cape is expected to experience relatively stable weather on Saturday, with good or partly cloudy skies in most areas. Over the Overberg region, cloudy weather is forecast in the morning, while the northwestern and eastern inland areas will be hot. No significant widespread rainfall is expected, although coastal winds will pick up in the afternoon. The UVB sunburn index is predicted to be very high, increasing the risk of sunburn during prolonged outdoor exposure.

Sunday will bring more rain as unstable weather continues.

The unsettled weather pattern is expected to last until Sunday, October 11, with the possibility of thunderstorms remaining in the central and eastern regions of the country. According to the Sunday weather forecast, parts of the Eastern Cape will again face a 60% chance of rain and thunderstorms, especially over the eastern interior.

Gauteng, North West, and parts of the North Cape are expected to have a 30% chance of rain as afternoon thunderstorms develop. Cooler conditions are expected in some parts of the Eastern Cape and southern interior, while warm or hot weather will persist in parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the western interior. The Western Cape is expected to remain mostly dry, with good or partly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures along the coast.

Residents advised to remain vigilant

Due to the forecast of severe thunderstorms on Saturday, drivers are advised to avoid flooded roads and bridges, and residents in storm-prone areas should remain vigilant due to rapidly changing conditions. People outdoors should seek safe shelter if thunderstorms develop and avoid open areas during lightning activity. SAWS strongly urges the public to monitor official weather warnings and forecast updates as conditions evolve over the weekend.

Similar stories

iol.co.zaSeptember 29, 21:53

Severe storms, hail, and floods threaten the provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, and North West

The South African Weather Service has issued Level 2 yellow warnings for severe thunderstorms across the provinces of Gauteng, parts of the North West, and Limpopo for Wednesday. Residents in various parts of the country will face another period of adverse weather, including strong thunderstorms, damaging winds, and the risk of flooding in central areas.

Simultaneously, the extreme fire danger level remains high in certain sectors of the Western and Northern Cape.

For Wednesday, September 30th, the South African Weather Service announced a Level 2 yellow warning for severe thunderstorms over Gauteng, central Eastern North West, and central and western Limpopo. Heavy rain, strong destructive winds, hail, and excessive lightning are expected. Meteorologists warn that the storms could lead to localized flooding on vulnerable roads, low-lying areas, and bridges, as well as damage to settlements and infrastructure.

Precipitation forecasts indicate a 60% probability of scattered rain and thunderstorms in many areas of Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. In some parts of the North West and KwaZulu-Natal, the probability of isolated rain and thunderstorms is 30%, and isolated rains are also expected along the East Cape coast.

Gauteng prepares for cold and stormy conditions

Wednesday in Gauteng is expected to bring cloudiness and cold, accompanied by scattered rain and thunderstorm showers. The province is under a Level 2 yellow severe thunderstorm warning, putting residents at risk of heavy downpours, hail, damaging winds, and excessive lightning. Drivers are strongly advised to exercise extra caution where heavy rain affects roads, as localized flooding is possible in vulnerable spots.

Cold and humid conditions for Limpopo and Mpumalanga

Limpopo is expected to be cloudy and cold, with scattered rain and thunderstorm showers. The severe thunderstorm warning applies to the central and western parts of the province. Mpumalanga may also expect an unsettled day with cloudy and cold to very cold weather, accompanied by scattered rain and thunderstorm showers. The probability of precipitation across the province is forecast at around 60%.

The North West will be cloudy, windy, and cold to cool before becoming partly cloudy. Scattered rain and thunderstorm showers are expected, with the central and eastern parts included in the Level 2 yellow warning.

Destructive winds threaten the East Cape coast

A separate Level 2 yellow warning for destructive winds has been issued for the municipalities of Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, as well as the municipalities of Ndlambe Valley, Ngqushwa, and Sandayrs River. These winds may cause localized damage to settlements, disrupt beach activities, and create difficult navigation conditions.

The western half of the East Cape will be partly cloudy in the south early in the day, then become clear and cool to warm. The eastern half will be cloudy along the coast initially, with rain expected east of the Kei River, after which the weather will become clear and cool elsewhere.

Free State will be cool with scattered storms

East Free State will first be cloudy, then become partly cloudy, windy, and cold to cool. Isolated or scattered rain and thunderstorm showers are forecast, except in the southeastern parts of the province. KwaZulu-Natal may experience morning fog inland, followed by cloudy and cool to cold conditions. Isolated rain and precipitation are forecast, corresponding to approximately a 30% probability in affected areas.

Fire danger and extreme heat in the west

While the northeastern inland areas face storms and cold weather, parts of the western region face a completely different threat. For the municipalities of Matzikama, Cederberg, and Bergrivier in the Western Cape, as well as Camiesberg in the Northern Cape, extremely high fire danger is forecast. Very hot and uncomfortable conditions are also expected in Camiesberg.

Otherwise, the Western Cape will be clear and warm to hot, becoming very hot over the West Coast district. The UV index in the province is expected to be very high. The Northern Cape will be partly cloudy in the northeast, where isolated rain and thunderstorms are possible, but otherwise, the weather will be clear, windy, and cool to warm. Patches of morning fog are expected along the coast.