Brace yourselves, Gauteng. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued several weather warnings for severe thunderstorms across Gauteng and parts of several other provinces.
Emergency services in Gauteng will be on high alert, with Eric Maloka from the city’s EMS saying the team will be monitoring all incidents.
Here’s what to expect.
Gauteng weather warnings
According to SAWS, residents should prepare for:
- Heavy rain leading to localised flooding in low-lying areas, roads, and bridges.
- Damaging winds capable of uprooting trees and damaging infrastructure.
- Hailstorms that could harm vehicles, crops, and property.
- Excessive lightning, posing risks to people and pets outdoors.
The affected areas include:
- Entire Gauteng province.
- Eastern Free State and North West.
- Southwestern Bushveld of Limpopo.
- Western Highveld of Mpumalanga.
- Extreme western and northeastern KwaZulu-Natal.
⛈️Weather & severe weather alerts for today & tomorrow, 10 – 11 February 2025.
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) February 10, 2025
Isolated to scattered showers & thundershowers are expected over the central & eastern parts of the country, with severe thunderstorms expected over GP, FS & NW. #saws #weatheroutlook pic.twitter.com/D8ubu6Xisl
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Weather warnings: How to protect yourself
- Seek shelter: Stay indoors, away from windows and electrical equipment. Cars with roofs are safer than open spaces.
- Avoid water: Steer clear of rivers, lakes, and large puddles.
- Stay off elevated areas: Don’t be the tallest object around.
- Keep your pets safe: Remove metal collars or leashes.
- Use the 30/30 rule: If you see lightning and hear thunder within 30 seconds, seek shelter. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before heading back outside.
Weather warnings for the rest of the week
The stormy weather isn’t stopping anytime soon.
SAWS forecasts continue for 11, 12, and 13 February:
- Tuesday: Disruptive rainfall over Limpopo Valley with localized flooding expected.
- Wednesday & Thursday: Scattered showers and thundershowers, especially over the central and eastern parts.
⛈️Weather outlook for Wednesday & Thursday, 12 – 13 February 2025.
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) February 10, 2025
Isolated to scattered showers & thundershowers are expected over the central & eastern parts, but they will be widespread in the extreme northern parts of Limpopo on Wednesday. #saws #weatheroutlook pic.twitter.com/8up6Eb35I8
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Quick weather overview by region
- Gauteng: Cloudy, warm, with isolated showers.
- Mpumalanga and Limpopo: Cloudy, cool to warm, with scattered showers.
- North West and Free State: Partly cloudy, warm to hot, isolated thundershowers.
- Northern and Western Cape: Hot, dry, with strong coastal winds.
- Eastern Cape and KZN: Partly cloudy, cool to warm, scattered thundershowers inland.
High fire danger in some areas
While some areas brace for floods, others face extremely high fire danger conditions.
Very hot to extremely hot conditions (36 to 40°C) in parts of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Namaqua District.
These areas are at risk:
- Western interior and central parts of Northern Cape
- Central and northwestern parts of Western Cape
Stay informed. Keep an eye on official weather updates, especially if you’re travelling. Better safe than sorry.
