Weather: Brace for a week of twists and turns across South Africa

Several parts of South Africa face unsettled weather this week, with showers and thundershowers, heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning among the conditions to watch.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) expects isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over parts of the country as a surface high-pressure system extends its ridge into the eastern and southern parts of South Africa.

Here is what the week ahead could bring across the provinces.

KwaZulu-Natal

KwaZulu-Natal remains one of the areas to watch for showers and thundershowers during the week.

The province could see periods of unsettled weather, with thunderstorms bringing the possibility of heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning.

Further showers and thundershowers are expected at times towards the weekend.

Gauteng

Gauteng can expect showers and thundershowers, particularly around Wednesday.

The province will see partly cloudy conditions at times, with temperatures remaining relatively mild before another chance of rain develops later in the week.

Free State

The Free State is likely to remain unsettled, with showers and thundershowers expected through much of the week.

The province could see several rounds of thunderstorms from Tuesday into the weekend, although conditions will vary from one area to another.

North West

North West can expect isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers as unsettled conditions persist over parts of the interior.

Thunderstorms could bring locally heavy downpours, with conditions changing as the week progresses.

Mpumalanga and Limpopo

Parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo will also remain under the influence of the unsettled weather pattern.

Showers and thundershowers are expected in places, particularly over the eastern and northern parts of the country. The risk will vary by day and location.

Northern Cape

The Northern Cape will see a mixture of cloudy periods, sunshine and isolated showers or thundershowers in some areas.

Conditions are expected to be more variable than in the eastern parts of the country, with some areas remaining dry.

Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape could experience cloudy conditions and showers in places, particularly along the coast and adjacent interior.

Some areas may remain dry for periods, but the province will continue to see changing spring conditions through the week.

Western Cape

The Western Cape is likely to see the most noticeable change later in the week.

After warmer and drier conditions in parts of the province, showers and thundershowers become more likely from Friday, followed by cooler conditions into the weekend.

Cape Town, for example, is forecast to cool considerably compared with the warmer start to the week.

What to watch in the week ahead

The main weather story this week is the unsettled spring pattern across the interior, with repeated opportunities for showers and thundershowers.

Thunderstorms can develop quickly and may bring heavy downpours, hail, excessive lightning and localised flooding. The Western Cape could then see a wetter and cooler turn towards the end of the week.

SAWS advises the public to continue checking the latest forecasts and impact-based warnings, as weather conditions and warning areas can change as systems develop.