The SA Weather Service has issued several weather warnings for TODAY. Image: Pixabay/ SA Weather Service
LEVEL 5 weather warning for SEVERE thunderstorms TODAY
An orange level 5 weather warning was issued for SEVERE thunderstorms and heavy downpours leading to flash flooding TODAY
The SA Weather Service has issued several weather warnings for TODAY. Image: Pixabay/ SA Weather Service
The SA Weather Service has issued several weather warnings for today, 23 March, including an orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms in the Western Cape.
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Several Weather Warnings issued
Severe thunderstorms are expected to occur over the West Coast district municipality and Witzenberg local municipality in the Western Cape.
This from this afternoon, 23 March, into Friday morning.
Thunderstorms may result in:
- Damaging winds
- Large amounts of small hail
- Heavy downpours that may lead to flash flooding
This will prompt an orange level 5 weather warning.
ALSO READ: Western Cape Weather: SEVERE thunderstorms expected TODAY
The Western Cape’s Cape Point and Mossel Bay areas will be under a yellow level 2 weather warning.
This is for damaging winds, which may cause localised disruption of small harbours and/or a port.
Winds could make navigation at sea difficult.
The Hantam and Karoo Hoogland local municipalities in the Northern Cape, as well as the Cape Winelands district municipality, Swartland and Cape Agulhas local municipalities in the Western Cape, will also experience Severe Thunderstorms.
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This which may result in strong winds and localised flooding.
A yellow level 2 warning will be in effect for these areas from the afternoon into Friday morning.
A yellow level 2 warning has also been issued for the Wild Coast and adjacent interior in the Eastern Cape.
Disruptive rainfall may cause localised flooding of susceptible formal/informal areas.
ALSO READ: Northern Cape Weather: THUNDERSHOWERS and rain expected
SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN
Arrive Alive has issued some tips when driving in severe weather.
- To keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you, increase the three-second rule to five-six seconds.
- Slow down if it is raining and the roads are wet. Remove your foot from the accelerator and gradually reduce your speed.
- Never apply the brakes abruptly as this may cause the car to skid.
- Slow down and be prepared to move to the left shoulder if an oncoming vehicle is overtaking from the opposite direction and will not be able to do so safely.
- Only move towards the shoulder if you can see 150m ahead of you clearly. Keep in mind that pedestrians may be walking on the shoulder to avoid mud on the road’s surface.
ALSO READ: Eastern Cape Weather: RAIN forecasted for the ENTIRE province
- Be cautious of oil patches. Do not slam on the brakes; instead, steer through. Patches will be small in most cases.
- Before taking a bend, especially a sharp bend, always shift into a lower gear. As you approach the bend, your speed should be at its slowest, and both hands should be on the steering wheel. When driving around a bend, this slow in/fast out technique gives you the most control.
- Double your normal following distance from 3 seconds to 6 seconds to increase your space cushion.
- Switch on your headlights.
“Other vehicles in the rear and in blind spots should be avoided because they are difficult to see through rain-splattered windows.” the statement by Arrive Alive concluded.
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