Overview
- The South African Weather Service issued an Orange Level 5 impact-based warning that is valid from 13:00 to midnight on Saturday, 14 November and names parts of the Highveld of Mpumalanga, western KwaZulu‑Natal and far eastern Free State as highest risk areas.
- Forecasters say storms could bring heavy downpours, large hail and damaging winds that may flood low-lying areas, wash out roads and bridges, and damage roofs, vehicles and power or communication lines.
- SAWS has also placed other regions under Yellow Level 2 warnings for disruptive rain and severe thunderstorms, issued coastal wind warnings for the Western Cape, and warned of extremely high fire danger in parts of the Northern Cape, Free State, North West and south‑west Western Cape.
- Residents, motorists and farmers are urged to monitor SAWS updates, avoid crossing flooded roads, move vehicles to shelter, secure loose objects and livestock, and follow local disaster management and emergency-services instructions.
- The warning is impact-based and time-limited so authorities may order road closures or emergency responses as conditions change and people should expect possible travel delays, localized power outages and rapid shifts in safety instructions.