Severe storms and flash flood warning issued for multiple provinces

Zuko Komisa

Severe weather warnings have been issued by SAWS for Gauteng, KZN, Free State, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The primary concerns are a Yellow Level 4 flash flood warning for central and northern KZN, and hazardous driving conditions across affected regions.
Residents are urged to take proactive safety measures, secure properties, and for motorists to exercise extreme caution on wet, slippery roads.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued severe weather warnings across several provinces, urging heightened caution as disruptive conditions are expected to unfold. The warnings cover Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, with residents advised to prepare for potential disruptions and monitor changing conditions.

A Yellow Level 4 warning has been put in place for central and northern KwaZulu-Natal, where severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours are anticipated. This poses a significant risk of flash flooding in low-lying areas and on vulnerable roadways. Furthermore, dangerous lightning and damaging winds could lead to localised damage to infrastructure, homes, vehicles, and agricultural sectors. The southern parts of KZN are also forecast to experience disruptive rainfall, creating hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility and slippery roads, increasing the risk of accidents.

Weather outlook for Wednesday & Thursday, 01 – 02 October 2025.
Partly cloudy and warm to cool conditions are expected, with isolated showers & thundershowers possible for the eastern & southern regions of RSA.#saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/sm8UhxP4Zj

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) September 29, 2025

Separate Yellow Level 2 warnings are active for Gauteng and Mpumalanga. SAWS warns that severe thunderstorms in the extreme eastern regions of these provinces are expected to bring heavy rain and localised flooding, potentially causing damage to property and infrastructure.

⛈️Yellow level 2 & 4(Mpumalanga) warning: Severe thunderstorms
Affected area: Gauteng, Limpopo, & Mpumalanga.
Validity period: 29 September 2025.#saws #weatheroutlook #southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/A03xQQ2ts3

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) September 29, 2025

In other provincial forecasts, the interior of the eastern half of the Eastern Cape is expected to see a significant drop in temperatures today, bringing very cold conditions, especially during the morning and evening. Limpopo is forecast to be cloudy and cool, with widespread showers and thundershowers. The Free State will experience partly cloudy, cool to cold conditions with isolated to scattered thunderstorms, which will be widespread in the extreme east.