Weather alert: Level 5 storm warning for Northern Cape and Free State

The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned that an orange level 5 warning has been issued for the Northern Cape and Free State as severe storms bring flooding, hail and strong winds. Yellow-level warnings were also issued for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds in the North West, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. The weather service has released its latest weather forecast for 5 March 2026.

Weather forecast for today, 04 March 2026:Partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers ⚠️Severe thunderstorms#saws#weatheroutlook#SAWeatherService#Warningpic.twitter.com/P9Z201hrzg Theweather servicehas issued an orange-level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours leading to flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, as well as damaging winds, large amounts of small hail and excessive lightning. These are expected over the eastern parts of the Northern Cape and the western parts of the Free State. Saws also issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours leading to localised flooding of susceptible roads, settlements, low-lying bridges/areas, as well as possible strong damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning over the western parts of Northern Cape, south to central parts of North West, central to western parts of Free State, and central parts of Eastern Cape.

The South African Weather Service also warned of severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours leading to localised flooding of susceptible roads, settlements, and low-lying bridges/areas; hail; and excessive lightning in places over the western and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. A yellow level 1 warning was issued. Here’s what to expect in your province on Thursday, 5 March, 2026: Residents of Gauteng can expect cloudy and cool weather with scattered showers and thundershowers.

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Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure. Mpumalanga residents can expect morning fog patches over the Highveld and escarpment; otherwise, the conditions will be cloudy and cool to warm with scattered showers and thundershowers.

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