Cupid offers a mixed bag of hot, wet, and windy weather this Valentine's Day weekend
The South African Weather Service has forecast a mixed weekend of sunshine in the west and widespread showers and thunderstorms over the central and eastern parts of the country, with rain chances increasing significantly along the east coast.
On Saturday, much of the interior from North West through Gauteng and into Mpumalanga and Limpopo will see scattered to widespread thundershowers. Rainfall probabilities range from 60% over the central interior to as high as 80% in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern escarpment.
Conditions will be cool to warm in these areas, with heavier downpours possible in the east. Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, rain chances sit at 80 percent with brisk onshore winds. The Eastern Cape coast will also see a 60% chance of showers.
In contrast, the Western Cape and the Northern Cape will remain largely hot and dry, with fine conditions dominating and only isolated cloud along the south coast where there is a 30 percent chance of light showers. Temperatures will climb to hot levels over the western interior.
By Sunday, showers and thundershowers persist over the eastern half of the country, although rainfall coverage eases slightly in some central areas to around 30 to 60%. KwaZulu-Natal continues to face a high 80% chance of rain, while parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo sit at around 30 to 60%. The Eastern Cape coast holds a 30% chance of showers.
The west remains mostly sunny and hot, with dry conditions dominating the Northern Cape and much of the Western Cape. Coastal winds will stay moderate to fresh along both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines, adding to choppy sea conditions at times.
Residents in the eastern provinces should prepare for periods of heavy rain and possible localised flooding in prone areas, while those in the west can expect typical summer heat under clear skies.
IOL News