Weather Warning: Severe storms and extreme heat to strike SA on Monday
South Africans are being urged to prepare for a volatile start to the week as widespread rain, severe thunderstorms and extreme heat are expected to impact large parts of the country on Monday.
The South African Weather Service has issued a severe Orange Level 9 Warning for disruptive rain over parts of the north-eastern interior.
This warning signals a high risk of heavy downpours leading to widespread flooding of low-lying areas, which may result in the closure of some bridges and major roads in parts of the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
A Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is also in place for the central parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and northern KwaZulu-Natal.
There is also a serious threat of widespread damage to settlements or structures over populated areas as rainfall intensifies.
Rainfall is expected across much of the country, with chances ranging from 30% over parts of the western interior, including sections of the Northern Cape, to 60% over the central and eastern interior.
The highest rainfall probabilities of between 80 and 100% are forecast for Limpopo and parts of Mpumalanga, where persistent rain and thunderstorms are likely throughout the day.
KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State can also expect scattered to widespread showers, while the Western Cape remains mostly dry apart from isolated light showers along the south coast.
Severe thunderstorms are forecast in some eastern areas, bringing the risk of strong and damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning, which could further aggravate flooding and disrupt travel and services.
While heavy rain dominates much of the eastern half of the country, extreme heat will grip parts of the Central Karoo.
Very hot to extremely hot and uncomfortable conditions are expected over the interior of the Western Cape, where daytime temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid to high 30s and may reach the low 40s.
These conditions pose a serious health risk, particularly for vulnerable groups, as prolonged heat can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Authorities are urging residents in affected areas to remain weather-aware, avoid flooded roads, and take precautions against both severe storms and extreme heat as Monday’s hazardous weather unfolds.
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