The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued several alerts (including an Orange Level 5 warning) for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail on Saturday.
The extreme weather conditions are “a result of a developing cut-off low-pressure system over the western parts” of South Africa.
Here’s what you need to know.
Weather update, 11 Dec
Severe thunderstorms in Gauteng
Saws issued an Orange Level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large amounts of hail and heavy downpours in Gauteng.
Affected areas for the Level 5 alert include parts of the West Rand and the City of Johannesburg, as well as Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng.
The alert is in effect between 11am and 11pm on Saturday, 11 December and impacts include flooding of roads and settlements in low-lying areas, as well as loss of life due to fast-flowing streams and floods.
Displaced communities and power outages
Several communities are at risk of being displaced and residents should expect structural damage to infrastructure due to hail.
Strong winds may uproot trees and disruption to power services is expected as well.
Storms, hail and downpours in Tswhane
Meanwhile, a Yellow Level 2 warning was issued for the northern parts of the West Rand and the City of Tshwane.
The alert is in place between 11am and 11pm on Sunday, for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large amounts of hail, and heavy downpours.
Impacts include flooding, harsh driving conditions and travel delays due to wet roads and reduced visibility, as well as structural damanges to buildings due to hail and strong winds.
Weather updates: Limpopo and Mpumalanga
Weather alerts (in affect between 11am and 11pm on Sunday) for othe parts of the country include:
- Orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms over the western parts of Mpumalanga.
- Yellow Level 2 warning for severe weather conditions over the central and eastern parts of Mpumalanga (specifically Nkangala, Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni).
- Yellow Level 2 warning for severe weather conditions over the southern parts of Limpopo, specifically Sekhukhune and the regions surrounding it.
