SAWS: Heavy rains expected over the weekend

The predicted downpours come amid another heatwave over parts of the country.

Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela says the widespread heavy rain will persist over the eastern parts of the country until Tuesday.

"Initially, the weather this weekend will be relatively settled, with just a small chance of thunderstorms over some of the eastern provinces on Friday and Saturday.

"On Sunday, weather conditions will begin to deteriorate significantly, as the cut-off low manifests itself over the northern parts of the Northern Cape, introducing marked instability into the atmosphere to drive widespread showers and thundershowers.

"As tropical air begins to stream southward over Botswana and South Africa, conditions will become progressively cloudy to overcast."

Thobela said most provinces will experience wet weather, with the exception of the Western and Eastern Cape.

"During the course of the day, rain will set in over numerous provinces, including North West, the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and to a lesser extent, KwaZulu-Natal. Heavy rainfall is likely to occur in many parts of the above-mentioned provinces, elevating the risk of flooding as well as river flooding.”

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