Pretoria: The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms affecting the northern half of the Northern Cape, as well as the central and western parts of the North West and the northern Free State.
According to South African Government News Agency, these storms are expected to bring strong, damaging winds, hail, and heavy downpours. This may result in localized flooding and potential damage to both formal and informal settlements, as well as critical infrastructure in the affected areas.
SAWS has indicated that conditions are predicted to intensify, with widespread rainfall extending to the Free State and Eastern Cape, potentially reaching up to 90mm in some areas. An Orange Level 6 warning, along with a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms, has been issued for most parts of the Northern Cape, North West, and Free State. Temperatures are also anticipated to decrease across these provinces.
The weather service reported that a cut-off low (COL) is currently positioned to the west of the country. This COL was initially expected to make landfall over the western interior of South Africa. A COL is a slow-moving or stationary low-pressure system that typically develops in the upper atmosphere and can remain over an area for several days, often resulting in severe weather.
The COL is forecasted to gradually move eastwards and exit the country by Friday, 1 May. Following its departure, weather conditions are expected to improve, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers remaining in parts of the North West, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Eastern Cape until late afternoon.
Members of the public are advised to take necessary precautions by observing driving safety measures, reducing speed when necessary, avoiding flooded roads and low-lying areas, and refraining from seeking shelter under trees or tall objects during storms. SAWS has assured that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as required.