The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a wet weather forecast for most of South Africa.
‘Tropically-sourced moist air, moving southward through Botswana and into the central provinces of South Africa overnight and tomorrow, will promote scattered showers and thundershowers over the North-West province, the Free State, the Eastern Cape and Gauteng as well as parts of adjoining provinces,’ said SAWS in a statement.
SAWS has issued a Yellow level 1 alert for severe storm weather for parts of North West, the Northern Cape as well as western parts of the Free State for Wednesday, November 4.
Several parts of the country will experience stormy weather.
The storms are expected to cause localised flooding, which will impact road infrastructure as well as low water bridges, farmlands and informal settlements.
SAWS predicts there may be destructive hail and winds too.
‘Progressing into Wednesday evening, the cut-off low is expected to weaken somewhat, still maintaining a steep upper-trough structure.
‘Consequently, the development of squall-line thunderstorms (and associated surface winds of a destructive, strong and gusty nature) can be anticipated over parts of the Free State, North-West and Gauteng as the system moves east during Thursday. Parts of KwaZulu-Natal may also experience wind damage at places, due to severe thunderstorms,’ said SAWS.
Weather is expected to clear from Thursday, November 5 in the western parts of North West and the Free State.
Showers may ‘linger’ in the early hours of Friday in Gauteng as well as the eastern parts of North West and Free State.
Storms will continue over South Africa’s eastern provinces throughout Friday, November 6.
‘Following the rainy spell this week, much of the coming weekend is expected to remain rain-free, although a deterioration in weather is expected along the south-western coast of the Western Cape on Friday.
‘This change in weather is likely to be associated with showers as well as near-gale force winds, in response to a well-developed cold front which will be approaching South Africa from the west. Sea conditions are also anticipated to roughen significantly.
‘Consequently, conditions for mariners (especially those with small craft) will become increasingly hazardous,’ concluded SAWS.
Picture: Unsplash
