Heavy thunderstorms expected in Gauteng, other provinces

HEAVY downpours and severe thunderstorms are set to lash northern parts of South Africa, with Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga placed on a yellow level 4 warning by the South African Weather Service.

- HOPE NTANZI [e-mail]

THE South African Weather Service has warned of a yellow level-4 storm alert for northern provinces. Heavy rain, lightning and hail may cause road closures and property damage. Residents should exercise caution. DOCTOR NGCOBO | Independent Newspapers

(DOCTOR NGCOBO | Independent Newspapers)

The alert, in effect from Sunday, December 28 to Monday, December 29, warns of potentially dangerous weather that could disrupt daily life across the region.

The Weather Service warned: "There are indication of significant thunderstorms that may occur resulting in heavy downpours leading flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, resulting in closure of some bridges and roads, excessive lightning, strong damaging winds and large amounts of small hail that are expected over northern parts of Gauteng, vast parts of Mpumalanga and the southern and central parts of Limpopo."

The agency further warned that the impacts of the storms could be severe.