Thunder, Hail and a Whole Lot of Chill: Heavy Rain Set to Batter Central and Eastern SA This Weekend

SA braces for an icy, stormy spell as a powerful cut-off low threatens flooding, hail and plunging temperatures.

South Africans in the central and eastern provinces might want to cancel those outdoor weekend plans and maybe keep the kettle, blankets and backup power on standby. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is warning that a cold, storm-packed weather system is about to sweep across large parts of the country from Saturday through Monday.

For a nation that has just stepped out of a stubborn heatwave in some regions, this sudden shift into winter-like weather is expected to catch many off guard.

Extended weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday, 15-16 November 2025:
Fine and warm to hot in places in the west, otherwise partly cloudy to cloudy and cold to cool with scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers, but isolated in places.#SAWS #SAWeather #weatheroutlook pic.twitter.com/kJprFYsoOa

SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 13, 2025

A Cut-Off Low Is Coming and It’s Not Playing Around

SAWS says the incoming system is a cut-off low-pressure system, the same type of weather phenomenon responsible for some of the country’s most disruptive storms over the years. These systems are notorious for dumping widespread rain, triggering flooding, and unleashing intense thunderstorms.

And this one is ticking all the boxes.

According to the forecaster, the storm will bring:

• Widespread heavy rain

• Strong, damaging winds

• Small hail in large quantities

• Intense lightning

• A sharp drop in daytime temperatures

In other words not your typical drizzle-and-chill kind of weekend.

Here’s Where the Weather Will Hit First

On Saturday, the cold and wet conditions are expected to settle over:

• North West

• Free State

• Eastern parts of the Eastern Cape

• Northern Cape

• KwaZulu-Natal

By Sunday and Monday, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and parts of KZN will join the storm path.

This means much of South Africa’s agricultural belt and several densely populated metros, could feel the full brunt of the system.

Farmers, Take Note

SAWS issued a special warning to farmers and agricultural stakeholders, urging them to monitor weather updates closely.

Heavy rain, hail and wind can cause:

• Crop damage

• Soil erosion

• Livestock distress

• Disruptions to transport and storage

For many rural communities already dealing with rising input costs and water challenges, the next few days may require careful planning and some quick preventive measures.

What South Africans Are Saying

On social media, the reaction was a mix of humour, dread and frantic preparation in true South African fashion.

One user joked:
“Electricity + thunderstorms + winter cold = a South African horror movie.”

Another worried about Johannesburg’s fragile stormwater drainage:
“If this rain is coming, Sandton better bring its boats.”

Farmers’ groups across North West and Free State shared reminders about securing equipment and checking grazing areas for potential flooding.

And Gauteng commuters?
They’re already mentally preparing for Monday morning traffic chaos.

Why Cut-Off Lows Matter

For those wondering why SAWS sounds so alarmed: cut-off lows have a history here.

Past systems have led to:

• Flash floods in urban hubs

• Washed-out roads in rural towns

• Major hail damage in the Highveld

• Displaced families and damaged infrastructure

Even when they don’t turn catastrophic, they often disrupt travel, affect agriculture and cause large-scale power faults, especially in provinces where thunderstorms are frequent.

Stay Warm, Stay Safe

With temperatures expected to drop sharply and lightning activity on the rise, the advice is simple: stay inside where possible, avoid waterlogged routes, and secure loose items outdoors.

And yes, charge your devices while you can.

South Africa may be no stranger to dramatic weather shifts, but this weekend’s combination of cold, storms, hail and heavy rain will test just how prepared communities are.