The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms expected to affect several parts of the country.
Conditions are also favourable for the first frost of the season along the Lesotho border, as well as the southern parts of the Free State and Northern Cape, and the northern parts of the Eastern Cape.
The forecast for Wednesday indicates fine weather in the extreme south, with morning and evening fog over the far north-western interior. Elsewhere, it will be cloudy and cool, but cold in the extreme south-west.
“It will become partly cloudy from the afternoon, with isolated showers and rain in the extreme north-west. Winds along the coast will be moderate to fresh south-westerly, becoming light to moderate southerly to south-easterly from the afternoon. In the south, winds will be light northerly to north-westerly in the evening,” SAWS said.
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall are expected over the western parts of North West, the north-western Free State, and the north-eastern Northern Cape.
These downpours may lead to localised flooding and damage to vulnerable formal and informal settlements, as well as infrastructure.
In addition, SAWS has issued a warning for damaging waves between Port Edward and Kosi Bay.
The conditions may result in temporary disruption to small harbours or ports, while small vessels face a risk of taking on water or capsizing. Navigation at sea is also expected to be difficult. -SAnews.gov.za
