Level 2 storm warning covers six provinces on Tuesday

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms across parts of six provinces on Tuesday, 29 September. Heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning could bring localised flooding and damage.

The warning covers North West and Gauteng, the Mpumalanga Highveld, south-western Limpopo, northern Free State and the extreme north-east of the Northern Cape, according to the SAWS forecast reported by The Citizen. It does not mean every district in those provinces will experience a severe storm.

Roads, low-lying areas and bridges susceptible to flooding are among the areas at risk. Strong winds and hail could damage homes, vehicles and other infrastructure. SAWS forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela told Jacaranda FM on Monday that the warning covered much of the eastern interior, including Gauteng and surrounding areas.

The weather service expects partly cloudy and cool conditions across much of the country, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over central and eastern areas. SAnews, reporting the service’s outlook on Monday, said cloudy conditions were forecast in the east on Tuesday.

Drivers should not cross flooded roads or low-level bridges. People outdoors should seek shelter when lightning approaches and check updated SAWS alerts for their municipality, as warning areas and severity can change. The warning is a forecast: this report does not claim that flooding, damage or road closures have already occurred.

Today’s separately published city-by-city weather outlook gives temperatures and rain probabilities; this report covers the distinct impact-based storm alert.