LEVEL 4 weather warning MORE thunderstorms? Yellow weather warnings issued for three provinces

Photo: Stock/Canva

MORE thunderstorms? Yellow weather warnings issued for three provinces

Severe thunderstorms are expected yet again over the eastern provinces with the yellow weather warning issued.

LEVEL 4 weather warning MORE thunderstorms? Yellow weather warnings issued for three provinces

Photo: Stock/Canva

The South African Weather Services (SAWS) has issued a yellow weather warning for more severe thunderstorms expected over the eastern provinces on Saturday. 

WHICH PROVINCES WILL BE AFFECTED? 

The affected provinces include parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and northern KwaZulu-Natal. 

SAWS warned that there is a possibility of strong to damaging winds, hail (large hail), heavy downpours, leading to localised flooding. 

It also added that there is a possibility of localised fire incidents due to lightning. 

Motorists were cautioned to take extra care as roads are expected to be slippery and wet. 

ALSO READ: Parts of South Africa hit by a severe hail storm [PHOTOS]

HOW TO UNDERSTAND A WEATHER WARNING: 

Warning levels are colour-coded, using the robot system (yellow, orange and red). These colours will be dependent on the combination of the anticipated impacts and the likelihood of that impact occurring.

Image: SAWS

Impact-Based Warnings is issued for the following hazards:

  • Disruptive rainfall
  • Severe thunderstorms (heavy downpours/large hail/large amounts of small hail/damaging winds)
  • Damaging winds
  • Disruptive snowfalls
  • Reduced visibility
  • Damaging waves
  • Storm surges

“The main aim of the Impact-Based Severe Weather Warning System is for weather-related warnings to be better understood so that they reach more South Africans and the required actions can be taken well ahead of time in order to mitigate possible impacts. These warnings are aimed at every South African,” the SAWS said. 

Five tips to keep you, your family and your possessions safe when there is lightning activity: 

  1. Don’t shelter under trees, near water, on high ground or in open fields. 
  2. The first rule of keeping safe is to head back indoors when there is lightning. It’s also important to note that lightning often occurs around the edges of a thundercloud, so it doesn’t mean it’s safe just because it hasn’t started raining yet. 
  3. A car is a safe place to shelter. If lightning does happen to strike the car directly, it will be conducted through the metal frame of the car and into the ground. Avoid leaning on car doors during a storm as the electricity travels through the frame.
  4. Lightning can damage electronics, telephones, and other systems in your house that are connected to an electrical outlet – unplug them when you hear the first clap of thunder. 
  5.  Don’t forget to bring your pets inside. Dog houses and other pet shelters are not suitable for protection against lightning strikes.

ALSO READ: Warning: More SEVERE thunderstorms with hail, strong winds and excessive lighting expected