Today’s weather: Severe thunderstorms threaten parts of SA with heavy rain, flooding and damaging winds

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms across several provinces on Thursday.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms across several provinces on Thursday, with heavy downpours, flooding, damaging winds and hail expected to threaten communities, infrastructure and motorists.

The warning covers Gauteng, the Mpumalanga Highveld, central and southern parts of Limpopo, eastern parts of the Free State and North West, as well as most of KwaZulu-Natal, excluding the extreme north-east.

According to SAWS, the severe thunderstorms could result in flooding, damage to homes and other properties, and localised disruptions to electricity supply and communication networks.

The weather service has also warned that strong winds and large amounts of small hail could cause significant damage in affected areas.

The warning comes amid concerns about dangerous travelling conditions, with heavy rainfall potentially flooding roads, low-lying settlements and bridges.

SAWS said atmospheric instability could support the development of severe thunderstorms, bringing damaging winds, hail and possible flooding.

The weather service warned that the storms could result in injuries and pose a danger to life, particularly in areas vulnerable to flash flooding.

Other potential impacts include damage to infrastructure, vehicles, livestock and livelihoods, as well as road closures, travel disruptions and the possible displacement of affected communities.

Residents have been urged to exercise caution, particularly when travelling through flood-prone areas or crossing roads affected by rising water.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms has also been issued for southern Limpopo, the Mpumalanga escarpment, central and western parts of the North West and Free State, and the northern interior of the Eastern Cape.

These areas could experience localised flooding, damage to settlements and property, and interruptions to power supply and communications due to strong winds and hail.

Meanwhile, a Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging interior winds has been issued for eastern parts of the Northern Cape and the northern interior of the Eastern Cape.

The winds could cause localised damage to settlements, affect transport routes and create hazardous driving conditions for high-sided vehicles.

Despite the widespread thunderstorm warnings, SAWS has cautioned that extremely high fire danger conditions are expected across large parts of the country.

Affected areas include much of the Northern Cape, excluding the coast and adjacent interior, most eastern parts of the Western Cape, the Eastern Cape interior, western Free State and isolated areas of North West, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Hot and humid conditions are also expected to create extremely uncomfortable weather in eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

According to the weather service's rainfall forecast, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across much of the central and eastern parts of the country.

Gauteng is forecast to experience partly cloudy and warm to hot conditions, with a 60% chance of scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

Mpumalanga will experience warm conditions, becoming hot to very hot in the east, with scattered thunderstorms across much of the province and isolated showers in eastern areas.

Limpopo will remain hot to very hot, with isolated afternoon thunderstorms and scattered showers in the south-west. Rainfall probabilities range from 30% to 60% across affected areas.

The North West and Free State will experience windy and hot to very hot conditions, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Rainfall probabilities reach 60% in parts of the eastern and central interior.

KwaZulu-Natal will remain hot to very hot, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected in the west and south, and isolated rainfall elsewhere. Rainfall probabilities range between 30% and 60%.

In the Eastern Cape, scattered afternoon thunderstorms are expected in the eastern half, while isolated thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the northern and eastern interior.

The Northern Cape will remain predominantly dry, windy and hot to very hot, although isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible in the east.

The Western Cape will experience partly cloudy and warm to hot conditions, with a 30% chance of light rain and showers in the extreme south-west from the afternoon.

Very hot conditions are expected in parts of the Central Karoo, while the south coast will remain cooler.

The weather service has warned that severe thunderstorms could cause significant disruption across affected provinces throughout Thursday.

Motorists are advised to avoid flooded roads and exercise caution in areas experiencing strong winds, heavy rainfall and reduced visibility.

Residents in vulnerable communities should remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly in low-lying areas susceptible to flooding.

SAWS has urged the public to monitor official weather updates as conditions develop.