Weather warning for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds

BATTEN down the hatches and brace for a weekend of wild and woolly weather as the SA Weather Services issues a warning for severe thunderstorms and damaging winds.

The yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms is in place from 2 pm until 11 pm today (Friday) and is set to affect Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, Jozini, Mthonjaneni, Mtubatuba, Nkandla, Nongoma, Ulundi, uMhlabuyalingana and uMhlathuze.

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The level 2 warning for damaging winds, meanwhile, is in place from 1am until 5pm on Saturday.

Areas affected include Mandeni, uMfolozi, Mtubatuba, uMlalazi and uMhlathuze.

Accompanying today’s expected thunderstorms are strong winds, heavy downpours, excessive lightning, and hail over the Midlands and northern KZN.

Potential impacts include localised flooding of roads and damage to infrastructure, and poor driving conditions amid impaired visibility.

Tomorrow’s winds are owing to a cold front passing along the KZN coast overnight tonight, between Port Edward and St Lucia.

An average wind speed of up to 30 knots (55km/h) can be expected, reaching 40 knots (74km/h) in places.

Impacts include disruption to roads owing to crosswinds and fallen objects; localised disruptions to ports; localised damage of temporary structures, and coastal communities affected by spray from big waves.

The public is advised to take the necessary precautions, including halting maritime activities.

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