Tuesday weather: Severe storms, flooding and damaging winds threaten KZN as rain sweeps parts of SA - IOL

he South African Weather Service has issued Yellow Level 2 warnings for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, with heavy downpours, hail, strong winds and localised flooding possible.

South Africans in several provinces face a wet and potentially stormy Tuesday, with the South African Weather Service warning of severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, heavy downpours, hail and dangerous sea conditions on October 6.

KwaZulu-Natal faces the most significant weather threat, with Yellow Level 2 warnings issued for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds. Meanwhile, damaging waves are expected along a lengthy stretch of the coastline from the Western Cape into parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape.

The rainfall forecast shows a 60% chance of rain and thunderstorms across parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, while several inland areas have a 30% chance of showers or thunderstorms.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is in place for south-eastern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday evening.

The weather service said a cold front, combined with a strong ridging high-pressure system and a broad upper-air trough, is expected to bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the province, with isolated storms in northern areas.

Some thunderstorms in southern KwaZulu-Natal could become severe, producing heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning.

The storms could cause localised flooding on susceptible roads, in low-lying areas, and on bridges, as well as damage to settlements and infrastructure. Slippery roads and poor visibility could also increase the risk of vehicle accidents.

KwaZulu-Natal has a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms in parts of the province, particularly towards the south and along parts of the coast, while isolated rainfall is expected elsewhere.

Conditions will initially be fine and warm to hot, with morning fog over the interior, before clouds build during the afternoon.

A separate Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds has been issued for the KwaZulu-Natal coast and adjacent interior between Port Edward and Richards Bay.

Strong southerly to south-westerly winds of between 40km/h and 60km/h are expected, with gusts reaching up to 85km/h.

The warning is valid from 5pm on Tuesday until 11.59pm on Wednesday.

The conditions could damage settlements, disrupt beachfront activities and make navigation difficult. High-sided vehicles could also encounter problems on exposed roads and bridges, while some journeys may take longer.

The Eastern Cape is also in line for widespread unsettled weather, with a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms over large parts of the province.

The western half will become cloudy and windy from the west, with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms and rain along the coast.

The eastern half will be partly cloudy and warm before scattered showers and thunderstorms develop. Conditions will become cloudy, windy and cooler from the west during the afternoon.

The Western Cape will experience cloudy to partly cloudy and cool to cold conditions, with isolated to scattered showers and rain spreading from western areas towards the east from mid-morning.

Rain chances reach 60% in parts of the south-western Western Cape, while other areas have about a 30% chance of rain.

Strong to near-gale-force winds are expected along the south and south-west coast during the morning.

A Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging waves will take effect from midday on Tuesday and continue until midday on Thursday.

South-westerly swells of between four and five metres are expected between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas before spreading northwards to Alexander Bay and eastwards to Plettenberg Bay by Tuesday evening.

Fresh to strong winds combined with the high waves could produce rough and choppy seas, making navigation difficult and putting small vessels at risk of taking on water or capsizing.

The North West will be partly cloudy and cool to warm after morning fog patches in the north-east. There is a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms in parts of the province.

The Free State will also be partly cloudy and cool to warm, with a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms. Windy conditions are expected in the extreme east and west.

The Northern Cape will be cloudy to partly cloudy and cool to cold, with isolated morning showers and rain in western and southern areas and thunderstorms expected in the east. Rain chances are around 30% in affected areas.

Gauteng is expected to escape most of Tuesday's rain, with partly cloudy and cool conditions, although it will be warmer in the north.

The rainfall chart indicates little to no rain across much of Gauteng, including Pretoria and Johannesburg. The UVB sunburn index will be high.

Mpumalanga will be cloudy in the east, where there is a 30% chance of isolated showers and rain, while the rest of the province will be partly cloudy and warm.

Limpopo will be cloudy during the morning, with a 30% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms in the east. The extreme north-east has a higher 60% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Elsewhere, partly cloudy and warm conditions are expected.