Severe Weather and Fire Danger Warnings Issued for Wednesday, 30 September
South Africans in several parts of the country are in for another spell of disruptive weather on Wednesday, 30 September.
Storms, flooding risk and damaging winds—here’s where to be careful
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms over:
- Gauteng
- Central to eastern North West
- Central to western Limpopo
Residents in these areas can expect heavy downpours, strong damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning. The Weather Service warns that the storms could trigger localised flooding, especially in:
- susceptible roads
- low-lying areas
- bridges
It also warns of possible damage to settlements and infrastructure.
Rain chances across the country
Rainfall forecasts show:
- A 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms across much of Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga
- A 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms in parts of North West and KwaZulu-Natal
- Isolated rain expected along parts of the Eastern Cape coast
Gauteng braces for cold and stormy weather
Gauteng is expected to stay cloudy and cold throughout Wednesday, with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Because the province falls under the Yellow Level 2 severe thunderstorm warning, residents should be ready for heavy rainfall, hail, damaging winds, and excessive lightning.
Motorists have been warned to take extra care—localised flooding can make roads unsafe, particularly around vulnerable stretches.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga: cold with thunderstorms
In Limpopo, conditions are expected to be cloudy and cold, with scattered showers and thundershowers. The severe thunderstorm warning applies to the central and western parts of the province.
Mpumalanga can also expect an unsettled day, with cloudy and cold to very cold conditions and scattered showers and thundershowers. Rain chances are forecast at around 60% across much of the province.
North West: cloudy, windy and cold—then clearer skies
North West is expected to be cloudy, windy and cold to cool at first, before becoming partly cloudy.
Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected, including central and eastern areas that fall under the Yellow Level 2 warning.
Damaging winds threat for parts of the Eastern Cape
A separate Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds has been issued for:
- Nelson Mandela Bay
- Buffalo City
- Ndlambe
- Ngqushwa
- Sundays River Valley municipalities
These winds could cause localised damage to settlements, disrupt beachfront activities, and make navigation difficult.
For the Eastern Cape forecast:
- The western half will start partly cloudy in the south before becoming fine and cool to warm.
- The eastern half will start cloudy along the coast, with rain expected east of the Kei River before conditions improve to fine and cool elsewhere.
Free State and KwaZulu-Natal: cool conditions with possible showers
The Free State is expected to be cloudy in the east first, then partly cloudy, with windy and cold to cool conditions.
Isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are expected, except in the south-eastern parts of the province.
In KwaZulu-Natal, morning fog may form over the interior, followed by cloudy and cool to cold conditions. Isolated showers and rain are expected, translating to about a 30% chance across affected areas.
Extreme heat and very high fire danger in parts of the west
While the north-eastern interior deals with cold, storms and rain, a different kind of danger is brewing in the west.
The Weather Service warns of extremely high fire danger conditions for:
- Matzikama
- Cederberg
- Bergrivier municipalities in the Western Cape
- Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape
Extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are also expected in Kamiesberg.
In the Western Cape, conditions are expected to be:
- fine and warm to hot
- becoming very hot over the West Coast District
The UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high, meaning sun exposure could quickly become dangerous.
For the Northern Cape:
- The north-east will be partly cloudy, where isolated showers and thundershowers are possible
- Otherwise, conditions will be fine, windy and cool to warm
- Morning fog patches are expected along the coast
What to do today (simple reminders)
If you’re in the storm warning areas, be cautious around flood-prone roads and avoid risky travel during heavy downpours and lightning.
If you’re in the high fire danger regions, keep safety top of mind—avoid anything that could spark a blaze and stay alert to changing conditions.
If you want, tell me which province/city you’re in and I’ll summarise your area’s forecast only.