PRETORIA, South Africa — The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a high-level weather warning as a volatile weather system moves across the interior, threatening to bring severe thunderstorms, large hail, and damaging winds to five provinces starting Monday, January 26, 2026.
Forecasters are urging residents to take necessary precautions as the atmospheric conditions are ripe for “supercell” formations that could lead to localized flooding and infrastructure damage.
Provinces Under Watch
The alert covers a massive swathe of the country, primarily affecting the eastern and central regions:
- Gauteng: Intense electrical storms and localized flooding are expected in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
- Mpumalanga: High risk of damaging winds and large hail, particularly along the escarpment.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Severe thunderstorms are predicted for the interior, with a risk of lightning strikes and heavy downpours.
- Free State: Damaging winds could affect agricultural operations and road safety.
- North West: Potential for hail and strong gusty winds in the eastern parts of the province.
What to Expect: Winds and Hail
The weather service has highlighted two primary threats with this system:
- Destructive Hail: There is a significant probability of large hail (golf ball size or larger) in parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng, which could damage vehicles, windows, and crops.
- Damaging Winds: Wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h are possible, capable of uprooting trees and damaging informal settlements or temporary structures.
Safety Warnings and Disruptions
With the ground already saturated in several areas from previous rains, the risk of flash flooding is elevated.
- Motorists: Drivers are warned of poor visibility and “aquaplaning” on major highways, including the N1, N3, and N12.
- Power Outages: Residents should prepare for potential power interruptions caused by lightning strikes on substations or falling trees on power lines.
- Livestock: Farmers in the Free State and North West are advised to move livestock to sheltered areas to avoid injuries from hail.
Outlook for the Week
The storm system is expected to persist throughout Tuesday before slowly moving toward the northeast. SAWS has indicated that while the storms may provide some relief from recent heatwaves, the severity of the rainfall could lead to more harm than good in areas with poor drainage systems.
Source Credit: Based on reporting by The South African and official alerts from the South African Weather Service (SAWS
