Weather warnings severe thunderstorms and heavy rain Gauteng
Thunderstorms are predicted this week. Photo: Canva

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Severe thunderstorms with large hail expected

The SA Weather warned that severe thunderstorms with large damaging hail and heavy downpours are expected.

28-10-23 11:08
Weather warnings severe thunderstorms and heavy rain Gauteng
Thunderstorms are predicted this week. Photo: Canva

Severe thunderstorms with large damaging hail and heavy downpours are expected. 

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL EXPECTED

The SA Weather Services (SAWS) said as the cold, moist and windy conditions invade over the Highveld from the east on Sunday, displacing the warmer air over the interior, conditions are expected to be highly favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms with large, damaging hail, heavy downpours and strong, damaging surface winds. 

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THESE PROVINCES MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

Provinces that may be affected by severe storms include: 

  • North-eastern Free State, 
  • Western KZN, 
  • Gauteng, 
  • Southern Limpopo 
  • The highveld and escarpment of Mpumalanga.

Meanwhile, significant rainfall is expected on Saturday over the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal and will spread to parts of the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo on Sunday.

“Following a week of extreme heat and dryness over southern Africa, with daytime conditions well into the upper 30s over many provinces, the good news is that parts of South Africa are in for a prolonged spell of widespread rainfall, heavy in places.” SAWS.

WEATHER ALERT: Snow expected in these four provinces

HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING A DISTINCT LIKELIHOOD

“However, it is particularly on Monday and Tuesday when widespread, tropically sourced rainfall will set in over the central and eastern half of the country, with heavy falls and flooding a distinct likelihood.” 

The SAWS explained that the cause of the widespread, inclement weather will be the combination of two distinct weather systems. 

“Firstly, a strong surface high-pressure system, ridging well south of the country, will introduce cold, moisture-laden air over the south-eastern and eastern coast and interior.

“Secondly, the development of a cut-off low over the central interior of the country will promote pronounced instability and uplift, thus promoting rainfall over the eastern provinces. A further factor that will enhance the likelihood and amount of rain, will be the tropical nature of the airmass. Tropically sourced air is well known to be associated with rainfall of a potentially heavy, widespread nature.” 

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DISRUPTIVE SNOW EXPECTED IN SEVERAL PARTS OF SA

It furthermore said in addition, a significant lowering of the altitude at which sub-zero temperatures occur, commonly referred to as the “freezing level”, will most likely result in disruptive snowfall over the Drakensberg mountains and Van Reenens Pass on the N3 highway in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday. 

“Lighter snowfalls can be expected over higher peaks of adjoining provinces such as the Eastern Cape and extreme eastern Free State. 

“There is even a small, but distinct possibility of light snowfalls over the Roossenekal pass as well as the Belfast and Dullstroom areas of the Mpumalanga escarpment early next week.” 

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