Eastern Cape weather: Warnings issued for severe thunderstorms and hail

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued an Easter Cape weather update, warning about the possibility of severe thunderstorms, heavy downpours and hail on Saturday 11 January 2020.

Eastern Cape weather update – 11 January 2020

According to the SAWS, heavy rainfall is expected across large parts of the province on Saturday. The alert was issued for the period between 16:30 and 19:00.

The SAWS warns that severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours were observed over Amahlathi local municipality, moving toward towards the Intsika Yethu (Tsomo) local municipality.

In addition, storms are also moving towards the Engcobo local municipalities, residents are warned against “heavy downpours, strong winds and damaging hail.

Watch: East London storm

Brewing near East London this afternoon.

📸 Casper Keir@SAWeatherServic @KeirCasper pic.twitter.com/v8zzareBqm

— SA Weather🌩️sawx.co.za (@sawx_sa_weather) January 11, 2020

Furthermore, SA Weather (SAWX) shared a video clip of a storm brewing near East London on the afternoon of Saturday 11 January 2020.

Another alert was issued for Somerset East, Cradock, Hogsback, Stutterheim and Queenstown. The alert was issued for the period between 14:00 and 19:00.

“Severe Thunderstorms Warning: Observed between Somerset East and Cradock, Hogsback and Stutterheim and around Queenstown; moving in an easterly direction with damaging winds, heavy downpours and hail.”

Also read – More wild weather: Bizarre “microburst” destroys villages in Eastern Cape

Other parts of the country

Free State

Earlier today (11 January 2020), the South African Weather Service issued a warning for the Bloemfontein area.

According to the SAWS alert, heavy rains and slow-moving storms were observed between Brandfort and Bloemfontein, and over DeWetsdorp as well.

The storms are moving south-east at 15km per hour towards Thaba Nchu and will most likely result in flash flooding; residents are urged to take precautions.

Warning:11/01/2020 13h00 TO:11/01/2020 16h00 Heavy rain- slow moving storms observed between Brandfort and Bloemfontein and over DewWetsdorp moving se-wards at 15km/h towards Thaba-Nchu within the next 2hrs. (11/01/2019) (Free State) resulting in flooding.

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 11, 2020

Watch:11/01/2020 14h00 TO:11/01/2020 22h00 Flooding- slow moving storms can lead to localized flooding over the western and central parts of the Free State today after heavy rain yesterday and saturated ground conditions (11/01/2019).

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 11, 2020

Also read – Bloemfontein floods: Disaster management team despatched to flood-hit areas

North West

The South African Weather Service also issued an alert for slow-moving storms and localised flooding in the North West. The alert was issued for the period between 14:00 and 22:00 on Saturday 11 January.

“Flooding: slow-moving storms can lead to localised flooding over the central parts of the North West today after heavy rain in places yesterday and saturated ground conditions.”

Also read – In Photos: South Africa left reeling by widespread floods