Brace yourself, Mpumalanga – a cold front is sweeping in just weeks before spring.

According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), very cold conditions are expected across parts of the country, with Mbombela in for a chilly, wet spell.

A yellow level 1 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms over the north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, with potential localised damage to property and vehicles. Large amounts of small hail could cause further disruption.

Very cold conditions are also forecast for the extreme south-western parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mbombela outlook:

The coming week will be marked by cold mornings, light drizzle and fog patches, especially from Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to range between 9°C and 20°C, with cloudy, cool conditions throughout.

From Wednesday, cloudy skies, isolated showers, and thundershowers are expected across much of central and eastern South Africa.

Provincial forecast for Tuesday, July 22:

* Limpopo: Partly cloudy and cool, warming in places. Cloudy conditions and drizzle expected in the Lowveld.

* Mpumalanga: Fog patches along the escarpment in the morning. Otherwise, partly cloudy and cool, becoming cloudy with drizzle in the east by afternoon.

* Eastern Cape (eastern half): Cloudy and cold to cool, with widespread showers and thundershowers. Snowfall possible over the northeastern high ground.

* Eastern Cape (western half): Cloudy and cold to cool, with isolated showers and rain in the south and east in the morning, becoming partly cloudy by evening.

* Free State: Partly cloudy and cold to cool with isolated thundershowers, except in the northeast.

* Gauteng: Partly cloudy and cool to cold.

* KwaZulu-Natal: Cloudy and very cold to cold, with fog patches inland and scattered showers and rain.

* North West: Partly cloudy and cool, with isolated showers and thundershowers in the west.

*Northern Cape: Morning fog patches in the west, where it will be fine. Otherwise, partly cloudy and cold to cool with isolated thundershowers in the east and scattered showers in the southeast.

* Western Cape: Morning fog patches in the northwest. Otherwise, partly cloudy and cold to cool, but fine in the extreme west.