South Africans are bracing for a day of contrasting weather conditions on Thursday, October 15, with severe thunderstorms threatening parts of the northern provinces while dangerous heatwave conditions continue across KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, warning that heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning could trigger localised flooding and damage to infrastructure and property.
The warning comes as much of the country prepares for another warm to hot day, with isolated showers and thundershowers expected across several provinces.
According to the weather service’s rainfall forecast, affected areas in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape face a 30% chance of rainfall, with thunderstorms expected to develop during the afternoon.
Severe thunderstorms threaten Limpopo as flooding fears grow
The weather service has identified the south-western parts of Limpopo as particularly vulnerable to severe thunderstorms on Thursday.
A Yellow Level 2 warning is in place, with thunderstorms expected to intensify in some areas, bringing heavy rainfall, strong gusty winds, hail and dangerous lightning.
The warning is valid from 3pm until 8.59pm on Thursday.
The weather service warned that the thunderstorms could result in localised flooding of roads, bridges and low-lying areas, while damaging winds and hail could threaten homes, vehicles, livestock and infrastructure.
Lightning activity could also disrupt municipal services, with informal settlements and vulnerable communities particularly exposed to the severe conditions.
Despite the approaching storms, Limpopo will experience hot to very hot temperatures, particularly across the Lowveld, Limpopo Valley and western Bushveld.
Isolated afternoon thundershowers are forecast across the south-western half of the province, where the risk of severe weather is greatest.
Gauteng faces 30% chance of rain as afternoon thunderstorms develop
Gauteng residents can expect partly cloudy and warm conditions on Thursday, with temperatures becoming hot in the extreme northern parts of the province.
The weather service forecasts a 30% chance of isolated showers and thundershowers, with rainfall likely to develop during the afternoon.
Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounding areas could experience thunderstorms as unstable weather conditions move across the province.
The UVB sunburn index is expected to remain high, despite the possibility of cloud cover and afternoon rainfall.
In neighbouring Mpumalanga, conditions will begin fine before becoming partly cloudy and warm to hot.
The Highveld faces a 30% chance of isolated afternoon thundershowers, while other parts of the province are expected to remain largely dry.
Heatwave grips KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape
While thunderstorms threaten the northern provinces, dangerously high temperatures are expected to persist across parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
The weather service has issued a heatwave advisory for northern KwaZulu-Natal, where persistently high temperatures are expected to continue until Friday, October 16.
Hot to very hot conditions are forecast across the province, with extremely hot temperatures expected in the north-east.
Eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal are also expected to experience extremely uncomfortable conditions as the heat intensifies.
Despite the soaring temperatures, parts of the province face a 30% chance of isolated showers and thundershowers, excluding the southern and extreme northern coastal areas and their adjacent interior.
The UVB sunburn index is forecast to reach extreme levels.
In the Eastern Cape, heatwave conditions are expected to persist across the Chris Hani, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities until Saturday, October 17.
The eastern half of the province will experience warm to hot conditions, with a 30% chance of isolated showers and thundershowers in the east.
Coastal areas south of Kei Mouth will remain cooler, while cloudy conditions and patches of fog are expected in some areas during the morning.
Fire danger escalates across four provinces
The weather service has also warned of extremely high fire danger conditions in parts of the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Free State and Northern Cape.
In the Eastern Cape, the warning applies to parts of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, particularly the Camdeboo area.
Northern Limpopo and the Xhariep District Municipality in the Free State are also expected to experience dangerous fire weather conditions.
In the Northern Cape, the warning covers the Tsantsabane, Dikgatlong and Phokwane local municipalities, as well as parts of the Pixley ka Seme District Municipality.
The combination of hot temperatures, dry conditions and wind could increase the risk of rapidly spreading veld fires.
Warm and mostly dry conditions expected across western provinces
The Western Cape is expected to experience cloudy and cool conditions in the west during the morning before becoming partly cloudy and warm across most areas.
Moderate to fresh north-westerly winds are forecast along the coast, while the south coast will experience lighter easterly winds during the afternoon.
The province’s UVB sunburn index is expected to be very high.
In the Northern Cape, fine to partly cloudy, windy and warm to hot conditions are expected, with no significant rainfall indicated on the weather service’s rainfall chart.
The western half of the Eastern Cape will experience morning cloud and patches of fog before conditions become fine to partly cloudy and warm to hot, although coastal areas will remain cooler.
Isolated thunderstorms expected in North West and Free State
Residents in the North West can expect fine and warm to hot conditions before increasing cloud cover brings a 30% chance of isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers in the eastern parts of the province.
The Free State will also experience predominantly fine and warm to hot weather, with isolated showers and thundershowers confined to the extreme eastern areas.
Most western and central parts of the country are expected to remain dry throughout Thursday.
The weather service has urged residents in thunderstorm-prone areas to remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly where heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding.
Motorists should exercise caution on flooded roads and avoid attempting to cross overflowing bridges, while residents in areas experiencing extreme heat should limit prolonged exposure to the sun and stay hydrated.
The South African Weather Service is expected to update its regional forecast at 5am on Thursday.
IOL News
Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za