Overview
- The South African Weather Service upgraded warnings on Wednesday, 23 September by issuing an Orange Level 5 alert for Hantam, Karoo Hoogland and Central Karoo and Yellow Level 2 warnings across large parts of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu‑Natal and the Free State.
- Orange Level 5 is an impact-based warning that means severe thunderstorms could cause injuries, large amounts of small hail and damage to buildings, settlements and vehicles.
- Forecasters say the country is in an unsettled spring pattern with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers expected across much of South Africa through the week.
- SAWS warns storms can form quickly and bring heavy downpours, excessive lightning and localized flooding and it advises the public to keep checking forecasts and impact-based warnings.
- Residents in affected areas should expect possible damage to vehicles and local infrastructure and plan for travel delays, flash-flood risk on roads and extra protection for informal settlements and exposed property.