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Weather WARNING: Severe thunderstorms and hail expected in KZN
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms and hail expected in KZN on Monday afternoon.
Photo: Stock/Canva
Brace yourself as severe thunderstorms and hail are expected in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday afternoon.
THE STORMS AND HAIL IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL ON MONDAY AFTERNOON
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) issued a yellow level 2 warning for Thunderstorms for parts of Ethekwini and Ilembe Districts of KZN.
It said localised flooding of susceptible roads is expected.
Furthermore, the SAWS warned that localised damage to vehicles and structural damage were expected due to hail and strong winds.
Motorists should take extra precautionary steps as the thunderstorms and hail will cause poor driving conditions with slippery roads and poor visibility.
ALSO READ: Snow, rain, and cold are expected for KwaZulu-Natal this weekend
“Localised injuries and fires are also expected due to lightning.”
“These severe thunderstorms are observed over parts of UMgungundlovu moving eastwards towards Ethekwini and Ilembe as observed on the satellite and radar. “
ALSO READ: Intense cold front expected for Gauteng this weekend
Hail tips on the road:
Here are some precautions to take to prevent hail damage to your car, whether you are driving and caught in a hailstorm, or your car is parked outside at home or at work:
- Stock up on fleecy blankets: If there is no undercover parking area to protect your car, vehicle owners should layer their cars with thick blankets to minimise the impact of hailstones and reduce the need for car dent repair. These blankets can be purchased at a minimal cost and left in the boot of your car.
- Drive like Miss Daisy: If there is no cover nearby and you have to drive in a hailstorm, drive slowly (if possible) and cautiously. Also put your hazards and lights on. Driving cautiously may reduce damage because the hail will ricochet off the surface of the vehicle, while driving fast might cause a collision – especially on wet, slippery roads.
- Make sure we have your number: Be sure that Santam has your cell number on record and you will receive an automated hail pre-warning message from Africa Weather to ensure you are not caught in an unexpected hailstorm while driving. In severe cases hail can be as big as a cricket ball – call 0860 505 911 to double-check your details.
- Use your smartphone: Load the locations of nearby covered parking garages into your GPS or smartphone, which will be helpful if you’re on the road and need a safe sheltered area immediately. When hail is predicted, head for the closest undercover area to ride out the storm in safety. If you can’t reach it before the hailstones hit, pull under an overpass, a petrol station canopy or a similar spot that can protect your car from hail damage. Hail will cause more damage to a moving vehicle.
- Find an alternative use for your floor mats: If you’re caught in a vicious hailstorm and can’t find cover, pull over in a safe location, grab the floor mats and put them on the roof and hood. This solution has its limitations – the mats won’t cover the entire car and you may have trouble keeping them in place if it’s extremely windy. However, this cover can help minimise the costs of dent repair, dent removal and other hail damage repair.
