The weather service issued a Level 2 yellow warning for reduced visibility in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo on Thursday morning. Fog and low clouds are expected to complicate road conditions.
Drivers in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo may encounter difficult driving conditions on Thursday morning due to low clouds and fog reducing visibility, while extremely high fire risks are forecast in some areas of the North Cape and Northwest.
The South African Meteorological Service has issued a Level 2 yellow warning for reduced visibility in affected areas of three northeastern provinces. This warning is in effect from midnight until 9:59 AM on Thursday.
According to the meteorological service, low cloud bases can significantly reduce visibility in isolated and foggy locations. It has been warned that such conditions may complicate travel, increasing the likelihood of traffic accidents and leading to longer journey times.
Fire Risk Threatens North Cape and Northwest
While drivers in the northeast face poor visibility, conditions with an extremely high fire risk are expected in some areas of the northeastern part of the North Cape and the Greater Tugela Municipality in the Northwest. As conditions favor rapid fire spread, residents in affected areas are advised to exercise caution.
Otherwise, the North Cape will be fair and warm or hot, although cooler conditions are expected in the west. In the afternoon, variable cloudiness and windy weather are forecast for the east.
In the Northwest, it will first be cloudy in the east, then the weather will become fair and warm or hot, with developing variable cloudiness in the afternoon.
Fog and Mist in Northeastern Provinces
Gauteng can expect variable cloudiness and warm weather on Thursday, along with a high ultraviolet solar radiation index. In Mpumalanga, cloudiness with possible mist is expected along the escarpment, and fog is forecast over the eastern Highveld in the morning. The rest of the province will have variable cloudiness and warm weather.
Limpopo will also experience cloudy conditions, with the possibility of mist and patches of morning fog along the escarpment before variable cloudiness and warm weather set in elsewhere. Precipitation forecasts indicate a 30% chance of isolated rainfall in some parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, while most of the country is expected to remain dry.
Warm Weather in Central South Africa
Free State will first be cloudy in the east, then become fair, windy, and warm. Variable cloudiness is expected to develop in the afternoon.
KwaZulu-Natal will experience patches of morning fog over inland areas, followed by variable cloudiness and warm or hot weather. Coastal winds are expected to become moderate or fresh, blowing from east to northeast, and may strengthen occasionally north of Durban. The province will face an extreme ultraviolet solar radiation index.
Good Weather in Cape Provinces
The Western Cape is forecast to have fair and cool or warm weather, although variable cloudiness is expected along the southeast coast in the evening. The ultraviolet solar radiation index will be very high.
Morning fog is expected in some places over the interior of the western half of the Eastern Cape, after which fair and warm weather will settle in. The eastern half of the Eastern Cape will also experience morning fog in some places along the escarpment, followed by fair and warm weather.