The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of storms and persistent tropical rainfall for parts of the country this weekend.
“A sustained spell of tropically sourced rainfall is on the cards for a large part of southern Africa, especially over the central and eastern interior in the coming days, extending through the weekend,” the forecaster said, adding that thunderstorms are expected along with heavy rain.
SAWS said areas in the Northern Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape can expect scattered showers and thundershowers.
From Friday, the weather is expected to intensify over the eastern interior, bringing rain and thundershowers to parts of the North West, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
“An Orange Level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms has been issued for the North West and the Free State for Friday, while a Yellow Level 2 and a Yellow Level 4 warning have been issued for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and KZN,” the forecaster said.
SAWS explained that this weather system is expected to move east on Saturday and Sunday with rainfall shifting towards the north-eastern parts of South Africa.
“Widespread showers and thundershowers are expected over the Lowveld areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga which remain vulnerable due to saturated soil. This may increase the risk of localised flooding of rivers and low-lying areas, particularly where heavy rainfall persists,” SAWS warned.
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