Yellow thunderstorm alert issued for Gauteng
The South African Weather Service advised that a strong upper air system will result in widespread rain and possible severe weather over South Africa in the next few days.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a yellow thunderstorm alert for Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo from tomorrow 30 September.
This alert is issued for:
1. Gauteng
2. Western Bushveld of Limpopo
3. Western Highveld of Mpumalanga
Possible impacts are temporary low-level flooding, strong winds and informal settlement structure damages.
⚠️🌧🌩YELLOW THUNDERSTORM alert for Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo from tomorrow Wednesday (30 September 2020). pic.twitter.com/1FDLacOx9o
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) September 29, 2020
Absolut Security released some tips for driving in the rain:
1. Exercise caution when rain follows hot, dry spells. Engine oil and grease build-up on roads and highways over time, and when combined with precipitation, you’ve got the equivalent of an automotive Slip ‘N Slide. Road conditions may improve after the season’s first rain washes away most of the grime, but you’ll need to still exercise caution when driving in the rain.
2. Slow down. Wet pavement causes tires to lose traction and vehicles become more difficult to handle.
3. Avoid standing water on roadways. Not only can you hydroplane and lose control, but you can impair your vision and other drivers’ visibility by splashing through puddles. Moreover, standing water often shields potholes and debris from view and it can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle’s brakes.
4. Drive in the tracks of the car in front of you. This allows the vehicle ahead to displace any standing water that’s on the road.
5. Increase your following distance. Slick roads, wet brakes and reduced visibility can lead to collisions. Give other vehicles plenty of room and brake early with reduced force.
6. If your car begins to hydroplane, do not brake or turn the wheel abruptly as this may cause your vehicle to go into a skid or spin. Take your foot off the gas and keep the wheel straight until your car reclaims traction. Brake gently if needed.
7. Don’t use cruise control. It can cause your car to accelerate when hydroplaning and reduces driver attentiveness.
8. Grip the steering wheel with both hands to maximize vehicle control. This means putting down your cell phone, coffee, makeup, shaver, sandwich or anything else that takes your hands off the wheel and eyes away from the road.
9. Keep your windshield wipers in tip-top shape. Winter cold can wreak havoc on your blades, so get them checked before rainy seasons arrive.
10. Defog your windows. Precipitation can cause your windshield to quickly fog up, so use the front and rear defrosters to maximize visibility.
🌧⛈ A La Nina event looks likely for southern Africa for the first half of the summer rainfall season. This usually tends to result in a wetter summer for eastern and central South Africa. (Source: WMO) pic.twitter.com/2AmOl7g7ez
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) September 29, 2020
