Powerful storm to unleash thunderstorms, flooding and snow across South Africa

A major storm will sweep across South Africa through Wednesday night and bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and mountain snow the country.

Most of South Africa will endure some impacts from this storm ranging from severe thunderstorms to flooding rain and locally damaging winds.

The storm will unleash flooding downpours across the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday.

Locations from Port Elizabeth to Durban and Richards Bay can expect 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) of rain with local amounts reaching 125 mm (5 inches).

Flash flooding will be a widespread concern, and travel disruptions are likely across the region. There will also be a risk for mudslides.

Wind gusts over 65 km/h (40 mph) will accompany the downpours at times and could produce local tree damage and power outages.

Farther north and east, violent thunderstorms will erupt from Free State into Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

These thunderstorms can produce frequent lightning, damaging winds, flash flooding and hail.

Areas at risk for these storms include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Mokopane and Nelspruit.

While the worst of the storm will be impacting central and eastern South Africa on Wednesday, additional rain and showers will occur as far west as Cape Town on Wednesday; however, flooding is not expected in these areas.

Much colder air will rush across South Africa from Wednesday into Thursday, allowing snow to fall in the higher elevations.

Disruptive snowfalls are expected over the Sneeuberg and Winterberg mountains, spreading into the Drakensberg. This could lead to some travel delays or even road closures.

A stretch of dry weather will follow across all of South Africa from Friday into early next week.

Report a Typo