Weather alerts issued for storms, flooding and coastal surges across South Africa
Severe thunderstorms threaten northern provinces while coastal areas face damaging waves and storm surges through the week.
Weather alerts issued for storms, flooding and coastal surges across South Africa
Severe thunderstorms threaten northern provinces while coastal areas face damaging waves and storm surges through the week.
The South African Weather Service has issued multiple weather warnings for severe conditions across the country, with thunderstorms forecast for northern provinces and coastal surges threatening southern coastlines from this weekend through next week123.
A yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms has been issued for Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, with the weather service warning of a high likelihood of minor impacts28. The storms may cause localised flooding and damage to infrastructure, settlements, property and vehicles due to heavy downpours and strong damaging winds2. On Tuesday, the warning was escalated to yellow level 4 for parts of Limpopo, northern Gauteng and north-western Mpumalanga, indicating a low likelihood of more severe impacts including hail and excessive lightning45.
Emergency services in Tshwane and Johannesburg have been placed on high alert, with several areas identified as particularly vulnerable due to proximity to rivers and low-lying terrain5. High-risk zones include areas along the Hennops River in Centurion, the Apies River in Pretoria North and West, and informal settlements in Mamelodi and Nellmapius5.
Along the southern coast, a yellow level 2 warning has been issued for storm surge and damaging waves between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay from Saturday evening into Monday18. Storm surge is experienced as a rapid rise of sea level near the eyewall associated with onshore winds, sometimes reaching heights of more than six metres and accompanied by large wind-driven waves1. The weather service warned of localised damage to coastal infrastructure including walkways, pipelines and road routes, as well as disruptions to beachfront activities23.
Between Plettenberg Bay and Algoa Bay, a separate yellow level 2 warning has been issued for storm surge leading to localised damage to coastal infrastructure and flooding of some coastal areas3. Navigation at sea is expected to be difficult, with warnings of disruption to port and small harbour activities23.
The Western Cape and Northern Cape are forecast to experience cold, wet and windy conditions1, while scattered showers and thundershowers are expected across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal through the week37.