Today’s Weather: Warning for Severe Thunderstorms – 23 September

Areas: Prince Albert, Calvinia, Beaufort West, Sutherland, Laingsburg.

Expected impacts

• Large amounts of small hail can cause damage to infrastructure, vehicles and difficult driving conditions. These conditions can lead to major travel disruptions. Loss of livestock and agricultural productions are also likely together with disruption to essential services.

Areas: Grabouw, Worcester, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Paarl, George, Swellendam, Riversdale, Ceres, Hermanus, Robertson, Cape Agulhas, Ladismith, Mosselbay, Oudtshoorn, Stellenbosch, Malmesbury, Cape Town city, Langebaan.

• Localised service disruption due to power surges/disruptions
• Localised injuries (human and livestock)
• Localised damage to property
• Localised fire incidents (dwelling/veld fire).

What to do: If possible stay indoors away from metal objects. Do not seek shelter under trees or tall objects. Do not go fishing or play golf as both the golf clubs and fishing rods are good conductors of electricity. Members of the public are therefore advised to go indoors as soon as thunder roars.

Areas: Escourt, Ekuvukeni, Ladysmith, Dannhauser, Underberg, Utrecht, Dundee, Kokstad, Impendle, Donnybrook, Goodhom, Giants Castle, Mooi River, Pomeroy, Newcastle, Royal National Park, Howick, Umzimkhulu.

• Localised damage to infrastructure and settlements.
• Localised flooding of susceptible roads and bridges.
• Minor motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and poor visibility.
• Difficult driving conditions on dirt and slippery roads.
• Large amounts of small hail/ large hail over an open area.

What to do: Take caution or avoid traveling on bridges and roads in low lying areas as these may be susceptible to flooding and there may be sinkholes. Avoid outdoor activities as lightning, hail and flooding may result in injuries and death. If possible, stay indoors well clear of windows, shelter pets, and cover vehicles. Move livestock and cars to safe sheltered areas as there may be flying debris.

• An Orange Level 5 Warning for Severe Thunderstorms leading to injuries and danger to life, large amounts of small hail, damage or loss of infrastructure, settlements (formal and informal) and vehicles is expected over the Hantam, Karoo Hoogland Districts of the Northern Cape and the Central Karoo District of the Western Cape.
• Yellow Level 2 Warning for Severe Thunderstorms leading to localised damage to vehicles, excessive lightning, large amounts of small hail as well as localised damage to infrastructure is expected over the Karoo Hoogland District and the southern parts of the Northern Cape, vast parts of the Western Cape (except the north and central parts of the West Coast District), and south-western and western parts of KwaZulu Natal and the southern parts of the Free State.