Christmas Weather: Thunderstorms warning for parts of South Africa
Severe storms threaten Eastern South Africa as West stays dry.
Image: Pexels
South Africans can expect a mixed bag of weather on Thursday, December 25, with severe thunderstorms forecast over parts of the interior while the west remains largely dry.
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms over Gauteng, parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West.
These storms may bring heavy downpours leading to localised flooding of low-lying areas, roads and settlements, along with excessive lightning and the possibility of small hail.
Rain chances will be high across much of the central and eastern parts of the country. Scattered showers and thunderstorms with a 60% chance of rain are expected over Gauteng, the Free State, eastern North West, KwaZulu-Natal interior and parts of the Eastern Cape.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga can expect isolated to scattered storms with rain probabilities of around 30 to 60%, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
Along the south coast, including parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape coastline, isolated showers are forecast with about a 30% chance of rain, while the west coast and much of the Northern Cape will remain dry and hot with no rainfall expected.
Residents in affected areas are urged to remain cautious, especially during outdoor Christmas Day activities, as sudden heavy rain and thunderstorms could disrupt travel and festivities.
IOL News