South Africa weather: Severe thunderstorms and flooding risks

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms affecting several regions, including the Highveld of Mpumalanga and north-western KwaZulu-Natal. These storms are expected to bring heavy downpours, hail, lightning, and damaging winds, posing a risk of localized flooding on roads, bridges, and in low-lying areas. Potential damage to infrastructure, vehicles, property, and livestock is also possible.

Specific areas under threat in KwaZulu-Natal include Ladysmith, Estcourt, Ekuvukeni, and Dannhauser. In Gauteng, thunderstorms are expected, particularly in the eastern parts of the province. Other provinces, such as the Eastern Cape, may experience scattered storms with rainfall probabilities between 30% and 60%.

Additionally, extremely high fire danger warnings have been issued for parts of Limpopo, the Northern Cape, and the western regions of the Free State.