THUNDER , RAIN AND DANGER- SEVERE WEATHER TO PUMMEL CENTRAL AND EASTERN SOUTH AFRICA THIS WEEKEND

KwaZulu -Natal

South Africa is bracing for a turbulent and potentially dangerous weekend , as a powerful weather system is poised to unleash heavy rain across its central and eastern regions. Residents are urged to brace themselves as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warns of a significant weather system moving in.

From Saturday 15 November through to Monday 17 November, and intense cut-off low is expected to bring widespread rainfall, severe thunderstorms and a dramatic drop in temperatures across large swathes of the country.

So what exactly is a Cut-Off Low ?

According to meteorologists at the SAWS , a cut-off low-pressure system is the main driver of the weekend’s severe weather. Unlike typical frontal systems, a cut-off low can linger and intensify, generating prolonged periods of instability. These systems are especially prone to producing widespread rain, powerful thunderstorms, hail and lightning.

Here is what to expect :

Saturday – The central interior provinces including North West and Free State along with the eastern edges of Eastern Cape and Northern Cape are expected to see scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers. KwaZulu Natal will also be affected.

Sunday into Monday – The storm zone shifts eastward. Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and further into KwaZulu Natal will likely face sustained rainfall and thunderstorms.

Temperatures are expected to drop with daytime highs being lower than usual especially under persistent cloud cover and rain.

SAWS has issued a level 4 warning for parts of KwaZulu Natal signaling sever thunderstorms with heavy downpours, damaging winds, excessive lightning and hail. Such conditions may lead to deep or fast-flowing water posing risks to life.

A level 2 warning has been issued for central North West , Free State and southern Limpopo. These storms could produce local flooding, small hail and lightning.

• Potential impacts include flooding of settlements, low-lying areas and roads.
• Structural damage to property and infrastructure from hail and strong winds.
• Risk to agriculture production and livestock, especially in rural areas.
• Disruption of transport with bridges or roads closed by flooding.
• Danger to life from fast-flowing water in streams, especially with vulnerable communities.

Given the forecast ,SAWS is urging communities to exercise caution during the inclement weather.