Severe storm threat peaks as heavy rain and damaging winds target large parts of South Africa on Thursday.
Image: Freepik
A volatile and impactful weather system is set to grip much of South Africa on Thursday, bringing widespread showers and thundershowers, with the greatest concern centred over the interior where severe storms could trigger flooding, infrastructure damage and hazardous travel conditions.
The North West province stands in the direct firing line, where widespread rainfall of around 80% is expected, accompanied by a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms.
These storms are likely to produce heavy downpours, large hail, intense lightning and strong, damaging winds, raising the risk of localised flooding and damage to vulnerable communities and infrastructure.
Gauteng, Limpopo and the northern parts of the Free State will also see significant activity, with rain chances sitting at around 60% to 80% in places.
A Yellow Level 2 warning is in effect here, with storms capable of causing localised flooding of roads and low-lying areas, along with isolated damage. Conditions across Gauteng will be cloudy and cool, with showers becoming more widespread toward the north.
Further east, Mpumalanga and much of Limpopo will experience cloudy, cold to cool conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers, particularly widespread in western Limpopo. Morning fog along the escarpment may reduce visibility early in the day before storms develop.
The Free State will remain mostly cloudy, windy and cool, with rain chances around 30% in the south and increasing to about 60% in the north. The Northern Cape tells a split story, with dry conditions in the west but a 30% to 60% chance of showers and thundershowers spreading across the central and north-eastern regions.
Along the coast, conditions turn more hazardous at sea. Strong winds and rough waves are expected from Alexander Bay to Plettenberg Bay, where a Yellow Level 2 warning is in place during the morning. A separate Level 1 warning covers the stretch from Oyster Bay to Algoa Bay, where wave activity may disrupt small harbours and beachfront operations.
In stark contrast, the Western Cape will remain largely dry and stable, with fine and warm conditions dominating inland and only partial cloud along the south coast. Rainfall here is essentially nil, while a very high UVB index poses a different kind of risk under clearer skies.
The Eastern Cape sees a mixed outlook, with the western half staying mostly fine, while the eastern half faces cloudy skies and a 30% chance of showers and light rain, particularly along the Wild Coast and northern areas.
KwaZulu-Natal will experience mostly cloudy, cool conditions with isolated showers and rain at around a 30% chance, easing in the southwest but lingering elsewhere through the day.
Overall, Thursday’s weather paints a sharp divide across the country, with the central and northern regions bracing for impactful storms and high rain chances, while the southwest remains dry. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay alert as rapidly changing conditions could lead to dangerous situations, especially where heavy rainfall and strong winds coincide.
IOL News