Gauteng Braced For Severe Thunderstorms And Possible Flooding
SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for southern Gauteng, with heavy rain, hail, damaging winds and localised flooding possible on Monday afternoon.
Gauteng residents have been urged to take precautions as severe thunderstorms are expected across southern parts of the province on Monday afternoon.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts a 60% chance of showers and thundershowers in Gauteng, with a Yellow Level 2 warning in place for severe thunderstorms in the southern parts of the province and surrounding areas.
SAWS forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said the storms could produce heavy rainfall capable of causing localised flooding, as well as damaging winds and hail.
“We do have a yellow level 2 warning of severe thunderstorms, which may result in heavy downpours that lead to localised flooding, as well as the possibility of damaging winds and hail into the afternoon for tomorrow (Monday).”
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been advised to take precautions, particularly when heavy rainfall occurs.
Conditions Expected To Improve From Tuesday
Monday is expected to bring the most significant thunderstorm activity to Gauteng, but conditions should begin to ease from Tuesday.
Thobela said the probability of showers and thundershowers is expected to fall to 30% on Tuesday, with the weather affecting Gauteng and parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
“Conditions are expected to start to improve from Tuesday, with just a 30% chance of showers and thundershowers expected to cover most parts of the north-eastern areas, which will impact Gauteng.”
By Wednesday, conditions are expected to improve further, with no significant rainfall forecast across most of the country.
Severe Weather Across Several Provinces
The unsettled conditions form part of a wider period of cold and cloudy weather affecting central and eastern parts of South Africa.
Scattered to widespread rain and showers are expected in the Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo.
Where severe thunderstorms occur, the weather service has warned of heavy rainfall, localised flooding, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning.
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Gauteng is under a Yellow Level 2 warning on Monday, while an Orange Level 6 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms in the Free State and eastern parts of the Northern Cape.
Thobela said the higher-level warning could result in significant impacts, including flooding in vulnerable settlements and on roads, hail, strong winds, falling trees and disruptions to municipal services associated with excessive lightning.
