The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms across several provinces on Thursday, 5 November, warning that heavy rain, strong winds and hail could trigger flooding, property damage and disruptions to essential services.
The highest-level warning in the forecast applies to Gauteng, the Mpumalanga Highveld, central and southern parts of Limpopo, eastern parts of the Free State and North West, and most of KwaZulu-Natal. The extreme north-east of KwaZulu-Natal is excluded from the Level 4 warning area.
SAWS says the storms could bring flooding, damage to homes and other property, and localised interruptions to electricity and communications. Strong winds and large amounts of small hail could cause further damage. Heavy rain may also make roads dangerous, flood low-lying settlements and leave bridges difficult or unsafe to cross.
The weather service has warned that the storms could cause injuries and pose a risk to life, especially in places vulnerable to flash flooding. Other possible impacts include damage to vehicles, infrastructure, livestock and livelihoods, as well as road closures, travel disruption and the displacement of communities.
Residents have been urged to stay alert as conditions change, and to take particular care when travelling through flood-prone areas. Motorists should not attempt to cross roads covered by rising water.
Level 2 and Level 1 warnings
A Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms covers southern Limpopo, the Mpumalanga escarpment, central and western parts of North West and the Free State, and the northern interior of the Eastern Cape.
In those areas, storms could lead to localised flooding and damage to settlements and property. Strong winds and hail may also disrupt electricity and communications.
A separate Yellow Level 1 warning has been issued for damaging interior winds in eastern parts of the Northern Cape and the northern interior of the Eastern Cape. The winds could damage settlements and affect transport routes. High-sided vehicles may face hazardous conditions on exposed routes.
Fire danger despite storm warnings
Even as thunderstorms are forecast across parts of the country, SAWS has also warned of extremely high fire danger in several regions.
The fire danger areas include much of the Northern Cape, apart from the coast and adjacent interior; most eastern parts of the Western Cape; the Eastern Cape interior; western Free State; and isolated areas of North West, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
The weather service has also cautioned that hot and humid conditions in eastern KwaZulu-Natal are expected to make the weather extremely uncomfortable.
Provincial forecast
Gauteng is expected to be partly cloudy and warm to hot, with a 60% chance of scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Mpumalanga will be warm, becoming hot to very hot in the east. Scattered thunderstorms are expected across much of the province, with isolated showers in eastern areas. Morning fog patches are possible over central parts.
Limpopo is forecast to be hot to very hot. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms are expected, with scattered showers in the south-west. Rainfall chances range from 30% to 60% across affected areas.
North West and the Free State are expected to be windy and hot to very hot, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Rainfall chances could reach 60% in parts of the eastern and central interior. Fog may occur in the east of the Free State at first.
KwaZulu-Natal will remain hot to very hot. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in the west and south, with isolated rainfall elsewhere. Rainfall chances range from 30% to 60%. Hot and humid conditions are expected in the east, and coastal winds may strengthen later in the morning.
In the Eastern Cape, scattered afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for the eastern half of the province. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in parts of the northern and eastern interior. Damaging interior winds are also a concern in the northern interior.
The Northern Cape is expected to be mostly dry, windy and hot to very hot, although isolated afternoon thunderstorms may develop in the east. Extremely high fire danger is expected across much of the province, except along the coast and adjacent interior.
The Western Cape is forecast to be partly cloudy and warm to hot. There is a 30% chance of light rain and showers in the extreme south-west from the afternoon. Parts of the Central Karoo are expected to be very hot, while the south coast will be cooler.
SAWS has urged the public to follow official weather updates as the day develops. With severe storms and high fire danger forecast in different parts of the country, residents should stay alert to local conditions and heed warnings from authorities.