Residents of several South African provinces have been warned about potential storms starting this weekend. Heavy rain, squally winds, hail, and intense lightning are expected across large parts of the country on Saturday.
The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 2 yellow warning for severe thunderstorms on Saturday. This warning applies to the Northern Cape, northern areas of the Western Cape, western Free State, extreme west of the North West, and the far south of KwaZulu-Natal.
The warning is in effect from 9 am until 10:59 pm on Saturday. Forecasters warn that the thunderstorms may cause localized flooding of roads, low-lying areas, and bridges, as well as damage to informal settlements, infrastructure, vehicles, livestock, and property.
Widespread rain in central and southern South Africa
The precipitation forecast for Saturday indicates that the highest probability of rain covers the western, central, and southern regions of the country. The chances of rainfall reach 80% in some parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and southern Free State. In other areas of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and central interior, a 60% chance of rain is predicted.
Free State may expect isolated or scattered showers and thunderstorms from the east into the central areas, which will become widespread in the south. The Northern Cape is expected to have cloudiness, wind, and warmth, with scattered showers and thunderstorms becoming ubiquitous in the west and south.
The Western Cape is expected to see widespread rain and thunderstorms over the West Coast and Central Karoo, while the rest of the province will experience scattered storms. The western half of the Eastern Cape will face widespread rain and thunderstorms accompanied by cool and windy conditions. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the eastern half of the province, which will become widespread in the western areas.
Severe storms threaten the southern coast of KZN
KwaZulu-Natal will see morning fog over inland areas, followed by variable cloudiness, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected in the far south. Isolated storms are possible elsewhere, except in the northeast. The severe thunderstorm warning is expected to affect the far south of the province in the evening, bringing threats of heavy rain, hail, strong winds, and lightning.
The North West will be variable, windy, and warm, with isolated thunderstorms and a greater concentration of storms in the west. Gauteng is predicted to avoid the worst weather on Saturday, although isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected in the southwest. The rest of the province will be variable and warm, with a very high UV index.
Mpumalanga has a 30% chance of rain in some areas, with isolated daytime showers and thunderstorms expected along the escarpment. Limpopo is forecast to remain mostly clear and warm or hot after early cloudiness and morning fog.
Fire danger remains high
Despite the threat of widespread rain, extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in the western parts of the North West and the far northeastern Northern Cape. The combination of strong winds and dry conditions in these areas could increase the risk of rapidly spreading fires.
Wet and cooler weather continues into Sunday
Unstable weather will persist on Sunday, September 27th, with cooler and colder conditions spreading across most of the country. The Weather Service forecast for Sunday indicates a 60% chance of rain in some parts of the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal, while a 30% chance is expected in some parts of the Western Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, and northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Cooler conditions are expected in some parts of the Eastern Cape and the southern interior region, while most of the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal will experience cool weather. Limpopo and some areas of Mpumalanga are expected to remain significantly warmer, with a forecast of hot weather in the northern areas.
Strong winds are also expected in several coastal and inland areas on Sunday, adding to what promises to be a wet, windy, and significantly cooler end to the weekend for most of South Africa.
