SAWS Warns of Ongoing Severe Thunderstorms and Flooding Risks in Gauteng, Free State, KZN, and Beyond
South Africans in several provinces are bracing for more rough weather as the South African Weather Service has issued alerts for continued severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, and strong winds into the week. The warnings, which kicked off on Monday, 29 September 2025, cover areas like Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and parts of the Eastern Cape, with risks of localised flooding at bridges and low spots, as well as damaging gusts that could topple trees or harm buildings. Motorists get a special heads-up to drive carefully, as slippery roads and poor sight could lead to mishaps. With spring showers turning fierce, folks are urged to stay safe and keep an eye on updates to avoid getting caught out.
These storms come after a weekend of scattered downpours, and forecasters say the wet spell could linger, bringing hail in some places and heavy rain that might cause flash floods. As the country deals with changing weather patterns, this serves as a reminder to prep homes and stay indoors when thunder rolls. This article breaks down the latest alerts, hit areas, safety tips, recent impacts, and what to watch for next.
Latest Weather Alerts from SAWS
The South African Weather Service has rolled out Yellow Level 2 to 4 warnings for severe thunderstorms across much of the eastern and central parts of the country. These could bring hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain leading to floods in low areas. The alerts kicked in on 29 September and stretch into Tuesday, 30 September 2025, with isolated to scattered showers expected over central and eastern spots. SAWS forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela noted: “Isolated showers and thundershowers dominate the eastern parts, which would also cover the North West, Gauteng, Free State, into the eastern half of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, as well as parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. However, a scattered chance of showers and thundershowers is expected for the northern parts of Limpopo.”
Yellow Level 4 warnings target most of KwaZulu-Natal, southern-western Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and eastern Free State for the worst hits, while Level 2 covers broader areas like Limpopo and North West. These levels mean folks should watch for quick floods, wind damage, and hail that could harm cars or crops. Extremely hot spots in the west, like parts of Northern Cape and Western Cape, add to the mix on Tuesday, but the focus stays on the stormy east.
Affected Provinces: Where the Storms Hit Hardest
Gauteng, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal stand out as high-risk zones, with thundershowers likely to cause localised flooding at bridges and low-lying spots. North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape also face scattered storms, with northern Limpopo seeing more widespread action. SAWS has flagged Yellow Level 2 and 4 for severe hits in these areas, urging caution on roads where heavy rain could make driving tricky.
In Gauteng and surrounds, expect damaging winds and hail, while KZN and Eastern Cape could see heavy downpours leading to floods. Free State and Mpumalanga join the list for similar risks, with the weather hanging on into the week. Western parts stay mostly dry but cool, with icy winds in spots.
Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe in the Storms
SAWS and officials urge simple steps to avoid harm. Motorists should slow down, keep safe distances, and watch for flooded roads—never cross water over bridges if unsure. “Motorists are also urged to exercise caution on the roads,” the service noted.
For homes, clear gutters and drains to stop flooding, and stay indoors during thunder to dodge lightning. If hail hits, park cars under cover and keep away from windows. Emergency teams stand ready, but folks should stock up on basics like torches and water in case of outages.
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