WATCH: Wet and wild start to the weekend
The Richards Bay Clean Air Association’s rain gauge in the CBD recorded 14.1mm in just five minutes, and 50.7mm in 45 minutes
MOTORISTS in the City of uMhlathuze – and much of KZN – had to navigate their way home from work today (Friday) in what could only be described as treacherous conditions.
Blinding bolts of lightning, deafening thunderclaps and torrential downpours battered Empangeni, Richards Bay and surrounds, while eShowe reported hail.
There was much standing water on both the John Ross and the N2, which brought with it a high risk of aquaplaning.
As of 5pm, there were no reports of accidents, and motorists appeared to be adhering to safety protocol, including reducing speed, driving with headlights on – and hazard lights in areas of particularly poor visibility – and keeping safe following distances.
The Richards Bay Clean Air Association’s rain gauge in the CBD recorded 14.1mm in just five minutes, from 3.15pm-3.20pm, and 50.7mm in 45 minutes.
At lunchtime, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a yellow level 2 warning for KZN, effective between 1pm and 4pm today. The warning came as a surface trough was over the central parts of the country, with an upper air trough over the eastern parts of the country.
Yellow Level 2 warning for thunderstorms: KZN: 8 October 2021 pic.twitter.com/441cZMtXHa
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) October 8, 2021
The upper air system was sending perturbations (agitations) ahead of it, resulting in slow-moving thunderstorms over the southeastern parts of KZN.
These thunderstorms were accompanied by heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning.
The SAWS warned of localised flooding, damage to infrastructure, swollen rivers, and the potential of localised fire incidents owing to lightning strikes.
The severe weather is forecast to ease over the weekend, with partly cloudy conditions forecast for KZN.
