KZN weather warnings: Schools to close early ahead of torrential downpours
Three provinces have been put on high alert for Thursday, as the worst of the recent rains threatrens to make landfall later in the day. Weather warnings and watches have been issued for the whole of KZN, parts of Mpumalanga and southern regions of Limpopo.
KZN faces more weather misery
The chaotic conditions piqued international interest on Tuesday when a rarely-spotted tornado tore through the KZN Midlands. Two people were killed and more than 20 have been injured. The rain has continued through the week, with entire roads submerged in water and vehicles getting swept away by floods.
Up to 150mm is forecast to fall in some regions on KZN over the next 24 hours, with Mpumalanga and Limpopo also ready to face the music on Thursday evening. Here are all the advisories shared by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), who are predicting a wild day in the east of the country:
Weather warnings and watches for Thursday 14 November:
KwaZulu-Natal / KZN
Severe thunderstorms and intense periods of rain are set to lash the province. The weather watch is in place from 10:00 – 21:00, and some areas could be upgraded to a warning later in the afternoon. It has been confirmed by the regional Department of Education that all schools will be closing early today in KZN.
All schools in #Durban will close early today according to this @DBE_KZN memo. Please take note of where your children are. Bring them home and keep them safe. #severeweather predicted for #KZN this afternoon to evening #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/Q5ctokQp4y
— Salma Patel (@salpatel786) November 14, 2019
Mpumalanga
Central and western parts of the province will also be vulnerable to the elements on Thursday. Mbombela is set for a major downpour, as are urban settlements in Witbank. The weather watch will be in force from 10:00 – 21:00, and flooding is expected in some low-lying areas.
Limpopo
The red bit on the map indicates a severe weather warning, and the southern region of Limpopo is in for a deluge. It’s going to hammer it down here, and swirling winds could cause damage to property. Bela-Bela and areas near the border with Gauteng will be the worst-affected. The warning is in place from 10:00 – 19:00.
What is the difference between a weather warning and a weather watch?
A “weather watch” is an alert which calls for preparedness to weather hazards that will most likely occur within one-to-three days. These advisories have the potential to lead to disruptive and disastrous conditions, and although they aren’t classed with any severity, they should always be adhered to.
Meanwhile, a “weather warning” is an alert calling for the reaction due to high certainties of a severe weather hazard which is already occurring or imminent within 24 hours, and that could lead to disruptive and disastrous conditions.
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