Brace for Wild Weather: Severe Storms, Hail and Heavy Rain to Lash Parts of South Africa

Brace For Wild Weather Across South Africa

South Africans are in for a dramatic weather day on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issues multiple warnings for severe thunderstorms, hail, and intense downpours across several provinces.

From Gauteng’s thundershowers to the Cape’s searing heat, the country is bracing for a day of contrasts. The mix of stormy skies, flash floods, and sweltering temperatures paints a picture of a nation caught between summer’s intensity and spring’s unpredictability.

Thunderstorms, Hail, And Flash Flooding On The Way

SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms over western South Africa. These storms could bring heavy downpours, strong winds, hail, and dangerous lightning, with risks of flooding in low-lying areas and damage to property, roads, and vehicles.

A Yellow Level 2 alert has also been issued for parts of Gauteng, Limpopo, Free State, and North West, where localised flooding and hailstorms are expected. Residents are urged to stay indoors where possible and avoid driving through flooded roads or under storm-heavy trees.

Social media users across Johannesburg and Rustenburg have already shared videos of dark clouds gathering and hail warnings pinging on weather apps, with one post on X (formerly Twitter) reading, “Summer in Joburg: four seasons in one hour.”

Provincial Breakdown: What To Expect Where You Are

Gauteng

Morning fog will lift to reveal partly cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms later in the day. Temperatures remain cool, but humidity will make the air feel heavier than usual. The UV index is high, so sunscreen is still a must before the storms roll in.

Mpumalanga & Limpopo

Both provinces can expect foggy mornings and warm afternoons with isolated to scattered thundershowers. The south-western Bushveld in Limpopo could see heavier rainfall. Mbombela and Polokwane residents are advised to watch for lightning activity later in the evening.

North West & Free State

Storm activity is expected to build throughout the day, with isolated thunderstorms turning scattered by the afternoon, particularly in the east. Motorists are warned to expect slippery roads and reduced visibility.

Northern Cape

The country’s largest province will experience warm to hot conditions, with showers expected in the north-east. The west will stay dry and foggy along the coast early on. Winds will pick up from the south to south-east later in the day.

Western Cape

While the rest of the country braces for storms, the Cape will swelter under heatwave conditions, especially in the City of Cape Town and Cape Winelands. The SAWS has issued a heat advisory warning of persistently high temperatures. Coastal winds will bring some relief by evening.

Eastern Cape

Expect a mixed bag: clear skies inland, cloudy and cool conditions along the coast, and isolated evening rain. The east may see light thundershowers in the afternoon.

KwaZulu-Natal

The province remains warm to hot with foggy mornings and isolated thunderstorms in the north-west. Coastal winds will turn south-westerly in the afternoon, cooling things down slightly.

From Heatwaves To Floods: South Africans Advised To Stay Alert

The combination of heatwave conditions in the Western Cape and severe thunderstorms across the northern provinces highlights the volatile weather South Africans have come to expect in November.

SAWS has urged residents to stay updated on alerts and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy storms. Emergency services are also on standby, particularly in parts of Gauteng and North West where flash flooding has previously caused damage.

As one Cape Town user joked online, “Only in South Africa can you get sunburn and hail in the same day.”

Stay Weather-Wise

With the festive season on the horizon and temperatures climbing, it’s a good reminder to keep an umbrella in one hand and sunscreen in the other.

Whether you’re dodging hail in Joburg or sweating through a heatwave in the Cape, South Africans know how to handle it with resilience, humour, and a healthy respect for the skies.

{Source:The South African}

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