(ventusky.com)
(ventusky.com)
Severe weather warnings have been issued for Free State, Gauteng and North West on Tuesday, as a lethal combination of high temperatures and severe gales are on course to assault the region.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) updated their forecast for Tuesday, stating that the adverse conditions would come into effect in the afternoon. The warnings come on the same day four people were confirmed dead following raging fires along the Garden Route.
The latest update on the blaze, reported by the Garden Route District Municipality, confirms that the flames have spread nearly 50 kilometres east of George to the tiny settlement of Karatara. Heartbreakingly, three of the four fatalities were infants.
By late Monday afternoon, the blaze had spread to the George campus of NMU. Students living at the Tierkop and Akkerdraai residencies were quickly evacuated to the university’s rugby pavilion. An email shared by teaching staff advised the last person leaving to “switch off the electric and close all doors“.
SA weather warnings for Tuesday 30 October
North West
Veld fire conditions are expected over the whole province tomorrow. north-western parts of the North West will also be exposed to the threat of extreme heat.
Gauteng
Strong winds are expected in places over Gauteng on Tuesday – mainly during the afternoon. Extreme heat and veld fire conditions are very much on the radar from after midday.
Thunderstorms will be observed near Lanseria, moving eastwards to the southern parts of Tshwane (Centurion, Irene areas) with large amounts of small hail, damaging winds and heavy downpours expected later on.
Free State
There is a high possibility of wildfires emerging across most of the province, with the south-west part of Free State exempt from the warnings.
Your severe weather alerts for tomorrow (30 October 2018) in written format. Have a good evening. pic.twitter.com/Ep8dEfxzgJ
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 29, 2018
Weather advisories for Tuesday 30 October
Meanwhile, winds of up to 75km/h are being predicted between Cape Agulhas and Port St. John’s, with winds of 70km/h set for the eastern coast, right up to Richards Bay. Meanwhile, stifling hot weather conditions in KZN will meet a colder weather system, bringing thunderstorms to the area.
