A severe low cut-off system streaming in from the western regions of South Africa has brought floods to central and eastern parts of the country, with several high-risk areas flagged for severe thunderstorms this weekend.
South Africa floods: These areas are flagged as high-risk this weekend
In a statement, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warned that the low cut-off, which is expected to intensify as it gains momentum on Saturday, 10 December 2022, “will influence weather patterns over most parts of the country during the next five days.”
While most parts of South Africa may experience widespread showers this weekend, severe thunderstorms and torrential floods could cause extensive damage to areas in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the Northern Cape, and the Western Cape on Saturday.
The torrential weather, SAWS confirmed, will also likely spread across the Free State on Sunday, as well as Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the North West on Monday, 12 December 2022.
Moreover, according to SAWS readings, the Cape Peninsula should experience a meteorological phenomenon referred to as the “black south-easter”, a period of strong south-easterly winds that could spur bouts of severe thunderstorms this weekend.
“Rough sea conditions are also expected around the south-western coast and could contribute to difficulty at navigation at sea. There is also a risk of small and personal watercrafts (e.g., kayaks) taking on water and capsizing. Possible localised disruptions to beach activities are also likely,” the weather service warned.
Here is a look at high-risk areas for floods in South Africa this weekend, based on Ventusky readings:
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is the only southern coast region that may experience moderate-to-severe thunderstorms this weekend. Conditions are expected to get worse on Saturday, 10 December 2022, with 4.7mm thunderstorms expected in the province’s interior in the evening.
The cut-off low will likely spread across the interior in the late hours of Saturday, bringing heavy rainfall to areas like Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Queenstown and Mthatha.
Conditions, according to Ventusky readings, will likely cool off on Sunday afternoon but quickly intensify later on with the storm moving toward the coastal regions and impacting areas like East London.
Free State
The low cut-off system is expected to sweep into the Free State on Saturday afternoon and develop into a full-blown thunderstorm by 22:00 in the evening.
Almost every corner of the province is expected to be washed in heavy rainfall by the evening of Sunday, 11 December 2022, with these areas flagged for severe flooding:
- Bethlehem
- Bloemfontein
- Bothaville
- Kimberley
- Senekal
- Welkom
Gauteng
Most parts of Gauteng are still recovering from Friday’s flash floods, which left extensive damage in areas like Roodepoort, Johannesburg West and Soweto. On Saturday, 10 December 2022, conditions are expected to cool off with little to no rainfall expected in the central interior.
However, a low cut-off system travelling from the southern-east coastline will likely bring torrential conditions on Sunday, 11 December 2022. These Gauteng areas may be considered high risk for floods and severe thunderstorms:
PLEASE NOTE: Based on Ventusky’s meteorological readings, conditions in the areas listed below are expected to worsen on Sunday, 11 December 2022, from 19:00.
- Alexandra
- Benoni
- Brakpan
- Carletonville
- Centurion
- Vereeniging
- Krugersdorp
- Midrand
- Nigel
- Pretoria
- Randfontein
- Roodepoort
- Soweto
- Vereeniging
KwaZulu-Natal
According to Ventusky, the low cut-off will likely sweep into KZN from approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 10 December 2022, bringing light thunder and showers in areas like Pietermaritzburg, Richmond and Greytown.
By Sunday morning, the swell would have spread throughout most parts of the province, with the eye of the storm resting in Newcastle. Conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day, with the following areas flagged as flood hotspots:
- Dundee
- Durban
- Mpumalanga
- Newcastle
- KwaDukuza
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richmond
