Level 2 warning with chance of hail for Pretoria
After a chilly start to the week, conditions are expected to improve mid-week.
The SA weather service (Saws) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms in Pretoria this afternoon.
The warning includes a prediction for large amounts of small hail, excessive lightning and strong damaging winds from 14:00 until midnight.
A yellow level 2 warning is given for weather events with a high likelihood but minor impact.
An orange level 5 warning was given for areas of Gauteng, south of Krugersdorp and Kempton Park for flooding, hail, lightning and damaging winds.
Monday was expected to reach a maximum of 23°C with showers and thundershowers for most of the day.
Tuesday was also expected to reach a maximum of 23°C, with showers and thundershowers predicted for the entire day.
Temperatures will begin to warm up from Wednesday, with a maximum of 26°C, while cloudy weather during the day will develop into showers and thundershowers by the evening.
With wet weather expected, motorists are advised to drive with caution.
Rekord compiled these safety tips for driving in wet weather:
– Turn on your headlights.
– Adjust your speed to conditions. This includes reducing your speed if other vehicles have reduced their speed.
– Leave larger following distances so there is more time to respond if something goes wrong.
– Give yourself more time to stop or to go around corners.
– Reduce speed to reduce the chances of sliding out of control.
– If your car is sliding out of control, slowly lift your foot from the accelerator but do not brake hard or move your steering wheel violently.
– If you start to skid, don’t slam on the brakes. Continue steering in the direction you want to go and do not make any harsh adjustments.
– If the downpour becomes extreme, pull over at a petrol station or another safe place.
– Estimate the depth of the water and avoid driving through water that comes to the middle of your tyre or higher. Most drivers risk driving through a pool of water, but it is easy to underestimate the depth. Additionally, roads that collect water are more vulnerable to collapse and create potholes.
– Where possible, drive in the middle of a road where the water is at its lowest.
– Never drive through fast-flowing water, it is very difficult to judge its depth.
– Once you are through the water, lightly touch your brakes a few times to dry them off.
– If you are in danger of being swept away, abandon your vehicle if you have an opportunity to do so safely.
– Be mindful of other vehicles behind you as they are difficult to see through rain-spattered windows.
– Be extra careful within the first 30 minutes after the rain has started as grime and oil on the road surface mix with water and could cause the road to be slippery.
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