Weekend weather: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and damaging winds to hit parts of SA

South Africans across multiple provinces are bracing for a challenging weekend, with the South African Weather Service issuing warnings of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding. The most serious alerts are in place for the north-eastern Northern Cape and extreme western Free State on Saturday, September 19. These areas face a high risk of heavy downpours, damaging winds, lightning, and hail, which could lead to flooding, hazardous road conditions, and reduced visibility.

Rainfall is expected throughout much of the country on Saturday, with the highest chances concentrated over the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape has an 80% chance of widespread showers and thunderstorms, while surrounding areas have a 60% chance of scattered rain and thunderstorms. Other regions, such as the Eastern Cape and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, have a 60% chance of rain, and a 30% chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms.

Gauteng will avoid the heaviest rain on Saturday, with cloudy and cool conditions giving way to partly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures in the afternoon. Elsewhere, the weather will be cloudy and cool on Saturday, with a return to partly cloudy skies during the day. The most significant danger is in the north-eastern Northern Cape and extreme western Free State, where severe thunderstorms could cause heavy rain, strong winds, and hail.

Yellow Level 2 warnings for severe thunderstorms have been issued for western Free State, extreme western North West, and central Northern Cape. These areas may see localized flooding and other disruptions. The Northern Cape is expected to be cloudy, windy, and cool to warm, with scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms. KwaZulu-Natal will face a separate Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain, which could cause flooding and other issues.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution due to slippery roads and reduced visibility. Strong winds could damage property and make driving difficult. Despite the wet and windy conditions, parts of Limpopo are expected to face an extremely high fire danger index. The unsettled weather is expected to continue on Sunday, with cooler and colder conditions spreading across central and southern regions.

A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms is indicated for parts of central interior, and a 30% chance of rain or thunderstorms over other areas. Coastal winds are also forecast around the south-western Cape.