Weather Alert: Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding Expected Across Multiple Provinces
Johannesburg – South Africans in several provinces are being warned to prepare for severe thunderstorms and potential flooding, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The affected areas include parts of the Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng.
The SAWS has issued impact-based warnings to alert residents to the potential dangers.
An Orange Level 5 warning is in effect for the north-western parts of the Free State and the North West (excluding the extreme east). This signifies a high-risk impact, with severe thunderstorms expected to lead to flooding of roads, settlements, and low-lying areas, as well as potential damage to structures.
A Yellow Level 4 warning has been issued for the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and along the escarpment of Mpumalanga. This indicates a moderate risk of localised flooding of susceptible roads, settlements, and low-lying bridges/areas due to severe thunderstorms.
A Yellow Level 2 warning is in place for the extreme eastern parts of North West, Gauteng, most of the Free State (excluding the south and north-western parts), the highveld of Mpumalanga, southern Limpopo, and southern KwaZulu-Natal. Residents in these areas should be aware of the potential for localised downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning, and hail, which could lead to localised flooding of roads.
In addition to the thunderstorm warnings, a Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for damaging waves between Saldanha Bay and Plettenberg Bay. This could lead to difficulty in navigation at sea and localised disruption to beachfront activities.
The SAWS utilises a colour-coded warning system to communicate the severity of potential weather impacts. Yellow indicates a moderate risk requiring caution and awareness, while orange signifies a higher risk demanding increased attention and preparation. The numerical levels (2 and 4) indicate the likelihood of weather-based impacts occurring, with Level 2 being high and Level 4 being low.
Here's a breakdown of the weather forecast for specific provinces:
Gauteng: Cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers. Temperatures range from 16°C to 27°C in Pretoria, 15°C to 23°C in Johannesburg, and 16°C to 24°C in Vereeniging.
Mpumalanga: Partly cloudy in the morning, becoming cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers. Hot conditions are expected in some Lowveld areas. Temperatures range from 17°C to 29°C in Mbombela, 14°C to 20°C in Ermelo, and 14°C to 19°C in Emalahleni.
Limpopo: Cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers, becoming scattered over the southern parts. Partly cloudy conditions are expected in the extreme east. Temperatures range from 16°C to 30°C in Polokwane and 21°C to 35°C in Phalaborwa.
North West: Partly cloudy, windy, and cool to warm with scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers. Cloudy conditions are expected in the extreme eastern region. Temperatures range from 17°C to 24°C in Klerksdorp and 17°C to 22°C in Potchefstroom.
Free State: Partly cloudy, windy, and cool to warm with scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers, isolated over the southwest. Temperatures range from 16°C to 27°C in Bloemfontein and 17°C to 26°C in Welkom.
Northern Cape: Partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated showers and thundershowers in the extreme northeast.
Western Cape: Partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions. Expect isolated showers and rain along the southwest and southern coasts during the morning.
Eastern Cape: Cloudy and cool conditions with isolated showers and rain along the coast and adjacent areas in the western half, partly cloudy and warm elsewhere. The eastern half will be partly cloudy and cool with scattered showers and thundershowers, especially in the northwest.
KwaZulu-Natal: A cloudy and cool to warm day with widespread showers and thundershowers anticipated. Temperatures range from 20°C to 24°C in Durban and 21°C to 28°C in Richards Bay.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed, take necessary precautions, and monitor updates from the SAWS.
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