Photo: ©francoisloubser / Adobe Stock / Storm over Pretoria
Stay clear: Thunderstorms expected in various parts of South Africa
Limpopo, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga are expected to experience thunderstorms.
Photo: ©francoisloubser / Adobe Stock / Storm over Pretoria
Storm Report SA has confirmed that severe thunderstorms are expected to hit many parts of South Africa on Thursday.
Which parts of South Africa will the storms hit?
According to the warning, areas in Waterberg and Sekhukhune Districts of Limpopo are expected to have heavy downpours around 13:00 to 22:00.
In Limpopo, the Bela-Bela, Groblersdal, Glen Cowie and surrounding districts will face a possibility of lightning, heavy rainfall, hail, strong winds and flooding.
Thunderstorms, heavy rainfalls, flooding and hail are expected in the Nkangala District and the western parts of Gert Sibande District of Mpumalanga, between 12:00 to 18:00.
The Mpumalanga storm threats expected this afternoon includes eMalahleni, Delmas, Middelburg and its surroundings. The western half of Gert Sibane district will include the Standerton, Secunda, Bethal and surroundings.
The City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Lesedi Municipalities of Gauteng is expected to experience strong winds and possible rainfall between 13:00 to 18:00. The eastern half of Gauteng can expect storms with the possibility of hail, floods, strong winds, and lightning.
The Kwa-Zulu Natal province and Eastern Cape are not cleared out for the thunderstorm, and South African Weather Services has detected a threat of cloudy weather with rain in parts of KZN and the eastern half of the Eastern Cape.
What is the difference between a normal vs severe thunderstorm?
In a normal thunderstorm, the threat experienced are showers, lightning, strong winds, a bit of hail and flooding that can lead to accidents on the roads.
Severe thunderstorms bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, hail, urban flooding, visibility of hail and severe lightning.
“Lightning occurs with every thunderstorm and must be expected as soon as thunderstorms form. Lightning results from the build-up and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charged areas in the atmosphere and clouds. The most lightning occurs between clouds but it is the ground strikes that are dangerous. Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 350,000 but could be reduced by following lightning safety rules.”
South African Weather Services
What are the precautions set for thunderstorms?
- Citizens are requested to stay indoors during a thunderstorm and if you are on the road, staying in the car is much safer.
- If you already indoors, move away from windows, don’t hold electrical appliances or a metal object, this includes not using the phone.
- Refrain from taking a bath or shower during the storm.
- If you are caught by a storm while out in the open, look for shelter in a building.
