Overview
- The South African Weather Service issued Yellow Level 2 impact warnings for severe thunderstorms that affected north‑western KwaZulu‑Natal and the Highveld of Mpumalanga on Saturday and that were extended to parts of the western and central Eastern Cape for Sunday.
- SAWS says the storms could bring heavy downpours, large hail, damaging winds and frequent lightning that may cause localised flooding, damage to temporary structures, and short disruptions to power and communications.
- Separate advisories identify pockets of extremely high fire danger in parts of the Northern Cape, Limpopo, the western Free State and sections of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu‑Natal and urge people not to start open fires.
- Residents, motorists and farmers are advised to follow SAWS updates, avoid crossing flooded roads, seek shelter indoors during thunderstorms and protect livestock and farm assets from sudden water or wind damage.
- Forecasters note warm to hot conditions and a heat wave in north‑west KwaZulu‑Natal through Tuesday that increase thunderstorm instability in some areas and leave dry fuels ready to carry fast‑moving fires, which could strain local emergency services.