South Africans can expect a mixed bag when it comes to the weather this weekend.
Image: Pexels
A dynamic autumn weather pattern is set to shape the weekend across South Africa, with scattered thunderstorms over the interior on Saturday followed by cooler, more settled but still showery conditions into Sunday.
Saturday brings the greatest weather impact, especially across the central interior of the Northern Cape, where a Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms.
These storms may turn intense, with strong winds, hail, frequent lightning and heavy downpours capable of causing localised flooding and damage. Rain chances in this region are around 60%, indicating scattered but potentially disruptive storms.
Elsewhere, much of the country will see more isolated activity. The Free State and parts of the North West Province can expect a 30% chance of afternoon showers and thundershowers, mainly developing in the western areas.
Gauteng stays partly cloudy and warm with only a slight chance of storms, while Mpumalanga and Limpopo see isolated showers, also around a 30% chance, mostly later in the day.
Along the southern parts of the country, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape will experience cooler, cloudier conditions with scattered showers, especially in the western half of the Eastern Cape where rain chances reach 60 percent.
The eastern half remains drier for much of the day with only a 30% chance of late showers. KwaZulu-Natal will be warm to hot with a 30% chance of afternoon storms focused in the west.
By Sunday, the weather shifts slightly as cooler air spreads across much of the country. Scattered showers persist over the central and western interior, with around a 60% chance continuing in parts of the Northern Cape.
Much of the rest of the interior, including Gauteng and the Free State, will see a 30% chance of showers with cooler conditions setting in. The southern coastline remains breezy and cool with lingering showers, while the northeastern regions stay warmer with isolated storm activity.
Overall, the weekend presents a mix of warmth, cloud, and stormy intervals, with the greatest concern centered on the central interior on Saturday.
IOL News