SAWS issues level 4 weather warning for Newcastle

SAWS has issued a level 4 weather warning for Newcastle on Thursday.

2 hours ago

Zianne Leibrandt 1 minute read

An image of dark, stormy clouds with a bold yellow weather warning sign. — Image for illustration purposes only.

The South African Weather Service has issued a level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms in Newcastle and surrounding areas tomorrow (Thursday, September 17).

According to SAWS, severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours with the potential to cause flooding of susceptible roads and settlements, strong damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning resulting in danger to life are expected over over most parts of KZN today and tomorrow.

According to SAWS, a coastal low and a strong high-pressure system ridging over the east coast, as well as a surface trough over the central interior of RSA supported by a steep upper air, may result in scattered to widespread showers and thunder showers over KwaZulu-Natal tomorrow.

“Some of these thunderstorms may become severe and may be mainly accompanied by heavy downpours, but there is also a possibility of damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning, leading to a low likelihood of significant impacts over the northwestern parts of KZN,” they said.

The areas possibly affected will be:

Abaqulusi
Alfred Duma – Indaka
Alred Duma – Ladysmith
Dannhauser
eMadlangeni
Endumeni
Inkosi Langalibalele
Escourt
Sobalili
Msinga
Newcastle
Nqutu
Okhahlamba

Potential Impacts Include:

Flooding of roads, bridges and both formal & informal settlements
Lightning strikes that may cause fires
Hail leading to infrastructure damage
Major traffic disruptions
Danger to life

Residents and motorists are strongly advised to stay indoors where possible, avoid travelling, and keep off the roads.

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