Pretoria: The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms expected to impact several regions across the country.
According to South African Government News Agency, conditions are also conducive for the first frost of the season along the Lesotho border, affecting the southern parts of the Free State and Northern Cape, as well as the northern regions of the Eastern Cape. The forecast for Wednesday predicts fine weather in the extreme south, with the presence of morning and evening fog over the far north-western interior. Other areas are expected to experience cloudy and cool weather, with colder temperatures anticipated in the extreme south-west.
SAWS has stated that conditions will shift to partly cloudy from the afternoon, with isolated showers and rain anticipated in the extreme north-west. Coastal winds are expected to be moderate to fresh south-westerly, transitioning to light to moderate southerly to south-easterly by the afternoon. In the southern areas, winds will change to light northerly to north-westerly in the evening.
Severe thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy rainfall, are forecasted over the western parts of North West, the north-western Free State, and the north-eastern Northern Cape. These weather conditions may result in localized flooding and potential damage to both formal and informal settlements, as well as infrastructure.
SAWS has also issued a warning for damaging waves between Port Edward and Kosi Bay. The expected conditions could lead to temporary disruption of small harbours or ports, with small vessels at risk of taking on water or capsizing. Navigation at sea is predicted to be challenging.