SAWS warns of heavy rainfall, snow as winter creeps in
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall in most parts of the country on Wednesday.
The SAWS said the heavy rain and cold conditions are expected to continue throughout this week.
The inclement weather is expected to move slowly eastwards and is likely to exit the country by Saturday.
Scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers are expected over the central and eastern parts of the country, with rainfall accumulations exceeding 50 mm in the eastern regions on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Weather Service said in a statement: "Severe thunderstorms associated with flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage or loss of infrastructure, property, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock, especially over the Free State and North West."
SAWS said there is also a possibility of damaging hail occurring in association with the thunderstorms.
"Snowfalls are also likely over the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape during this period."
"Moreover, daytime temperatures are also expected to drop significantly from Wednesday onwards, across most parts of the country, with a gradual recovery from Friday onwards."
