Weather alert: Thunderstorms and possible hail in 5 provinces

The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned of severe thunderstorms in several provinces, with parts of the Northern Cape and the Free State under an orange level 5 warning. Theweather servicehas issued an orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours eastern parts of Northern Cape, and western parts of the Free State. These conditions could lead to flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, and damaging winds, large amounts of small hail and excessive lighting.

The western parts of the Northern Cape, south to central parts of the North West, central to western parts of the Free State, and central parts of the Eastern Cape will face similar conditions under a yellow level 2 warning. Saws has also issued a yellow level 1 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours in the western and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Localised flooding of susceptible roads, settlements, low-lying bridges/areas, hail, and excessive lightning are likely.

Extended weather forecast for Fri and Sat, 06-07 Mar 2026: Partly cloudy in the W interior, otherwise cloudy and cool to warm with 30-60% showers and thundershowers over the central and eastern parts, becoming 80% in the extreme east on Saturday.#saws#weatheroutlook#warningpic.twitter.com/kg9q5FJr4r Residents can expect cloudy and cool conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers. Expect morning fog patches over the Highveld and escarpment; otherwise, it will be cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers.