Weather alert: Possible snow in KZN and severe thunderstorms in 5 provinces

The South African Weather Service (Saws) has released its latest weather forecast for Wednesday, 23 April 2025.

The weather service warns of severe thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours and possible flooding in parts of the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West. Very cold weather and possible snow are forecast over the central and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Here’s what you need to know.

Weather forecast for tomorrow, 23 April 2025:
Isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in most parts of the country, but widespread in places in the east. ⚠️Severe thunderstorms#SAWS #saweather pic.twitter.com/JRC1rzmKRl

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) April 22, 2025

Weather warnings, Wednesday, 23 April

Impact-based warnings

The weather service has issued an orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours leading to flooding of roads and bridges, damage to property and infrastructure as well as agricultural activities in the eastern parts of the Free State.

A yellow level 4 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms resulting in heavy downpours leading to localised flooding of roads and bridges, large amounts of small hail and excessive lightning in the western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, extreme southern Highveld of Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

A yellow level 2 warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms leading to localised damage to settlements and localised flooding of susceptible roads, low-lying areas and bridges in the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape, Free State and North West.

A yellow Level 1 warning has also been issued for severe thunderstorms resulting in possible strong winds, heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning in the north-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal in the early morning.

Advisories

Cold and wet conditions are expected over the central and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal until Thursday, but it’s expected to be very cold in the south-western high grounds where light snowfall is possible.

ALSO READ: Possible flooding: Schools warned

Provincial weather forecast

Here’s what to expect in your province on Wednesday, 23 April:

Gauteng:

Residents of Gauteng can expect warm weather conditions in the north, otherwise it will be cloudy and cool with scattered showers and thundershowers but widespread in the south-west.

Mpumalanga:

Mpumalanga residents will experience morning fog along the escarpment, otherwise it will be cloudy and cool with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers but widespread in the south-west, except in the Lowveld where it will be warm.

Limpopo:

The day will be cloudy and warm with isolated showers and thundershowers in western and southern parts, but scattered in the extreme south-west.

North West:

Cloudy and warm to cool weather awaits North West residents, with scattered showers and thundershowers but widespread over the central and southern parts.

Free State:

Residents of the Free State will experience cloudy and cool to cold weather conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread in the east.

Northern Cape:

The day will start with morning fog patches along the coast, otherwise it will be cool to cold with isolated showers and thundershowers in the central parts, but scattered in the east. It will be warm in the north.

Western Cape:

Western Cape residents can expect morning fog patches along the west coast, otherwise it will be cloudy to partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated showers and thundershowers over the north-eastern parts.

The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “high”.

Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.

Eastern Cape (western half):

Cloudy and cold to cool weather await Eastern Cape residents, with scattered showers and rain, although isolated in the extreme west.

Eastern Cape (eastern half):

The day will be cloudy and cold with scattered showers and rain.

KwaZulu-Natal:

Residents of KwaZulu-Natal can expect cool weather conditions in the north-east and along the coast, otherwise it will be cloudy and cold, but very cold in the extreme south-west. Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected, although widespread in the west and isolated again in the north-east.

The region’s expected UVB sunburn index is “high”.

Residents should take the necessary precautions against prolonged sun exposure.