Boxing Day Weather: Thunderstorms and clear skies

The Day of Goodwill - previously Boxing Day - will bring a mixed bag of weather across South Africa, with calm and dry conditions in the west and a heightened risk of thunderstorms over central and eastern regions.

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms over parts of the central interior and the northeast, where summer heat and moisture will combine to fuel active weather.

Much of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the Free State and adjoining areas can expect scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms during the day and into the evening. Rain chances are highest over the eastern interior and along the east coast, where the likelihood of rain reaches about 60%, with some places experiencing widespread activity.

In parts of the central interior, including sections of the Free State and North West, rain chances sit closer to 30%, meaning storms will be more isolated but still potentially strong.

The Yellow Level 2 warning highlights the risk of heavy downpours that could lead to localised flooding in low-lying areas, informal settlements and on roads. Storms may also be accompanied by frequent lightning and small hail, especially over more densely populated areas of the central and northeastern interior.

Residents in these regions are advised to remain alert, particularly during the afternoon and evening when storms are most likely to develop.

Along the eastern coastline from KwaZulu-Natal into the Eastern Cape, cloudy conditions with showers and thunderstorms are expected, with rain chances around 60%.

Some coastal areas may see periods of steady rain, adding to already wet conditions in places.

In contrast, large parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape and far western interior will remain dry, with no significant rainfall expected on Friday.

These areas can look forward to stable weather, warm temperatures and generally clear to partly cloudy skies.