The South African Weather Service has warned of ongoing rainfall through the festive season and into the new year, urging the public to take safety measures. Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela highlighted risks of severe thunderstorms in several provinces during a media briefing in Pretoria.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) emphasized the importance of heeding weather alerts amid persistent rain expected over the holiday period extending into January. In a briefing held in Pretoria, forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela detailed the forecast, noting that rainfall would affect multiple regions.
Thobela specified that the eastern areas, including parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and sections of the North West, face ongoing showers. He pointed out several active warnings, primarily for severe thunderstorms concentrated in northern Gauteng and southwestern Mpumalanga.
"This is expected over the eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal... we include the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga as well as parts of the North West," Thobela stated. "We have several warnings, most of them are for severe thunderstorms."
The alert is classified as a yellow level 4 warning, indicating a low probability event that could still lead to localized flooding, strong winds capable of damage, hail, and intense lightning in impacted zones. Saws stressed that while the risk is not widespread, residents should prepare accordingly to avoid hazards during this busy time.
This advisory comes as South Africa navigates the summer rainy season, which often brings disruptions to travel and daily activities around the holidays.
