Today's weather: Severe storms and flooding risk to hit three provinces

South Africans are being urged to remain alert on Thursday as severe weather is expected across large parts of the country, with the South African Weather Service issuing a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms.

The warning applies mainly to parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape and the eastern interior, where a cut-off low-pressure system to the south-west is interacting with a surface trough over the western interior.

This weather system is expected to trigger intense thunderstorms, particularly from the Beaufort West municipality, spreading towards the Garden Route during the day.

Rainfall chances are high across the southern interior and eastern regions. Widespread rain with an 80% chance is forecast over parts of the southern Northern Cape, central and eastern Western Cape, and adjacent interior areas, where heavy downpours are likely.

Scattered showers with a 60% chance are expected over the Eastern Cape, southern Free State and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, while isolated showers with a 30% chance are forecast over the western interior and parts of the Western Cape coastline.

The thunderstorms may be accompanied by strong and gusty winds reaching between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour, excessive lightning, hail and heavy rainfall of up to 45 millimetres in a short period.

These conditions raise the risk of localised flooding in low-lying areas, damage to infrastructure and possible disruption to travel, especially on vulnerable roads and bridges.

Elsewhere in the country, rainfall is expected to be limited. Limpopo and Mpumalanga may experience light morning drizzle in places, while large parts of the north-east and far eastern regions are expected to remain mostly dry.

Residents in affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions, avoid flooded roads and stay informed as conditions may change rapidly during the course of the day.

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