Residents across KwaZulu-Natal are being urged to brace for a dramatic shift in weather conditions as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issues multiple severe weather warnings for the province, culminating on Friday.
Forecaster Sihle Dlamini confirmed that a Yellow Level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms has been issued for the southern regions, specifically targeting areas south of Underberg and Pietermaritzburg. Simultaneously, a separate Level 4 alert for damaging winds and hazardous waves has been deployed across the coastline and the majority of the province.
While Thursday evening carries a modest 30% chance of showers over the far south of KZN, Dlamini warns that conditions will rapidly deteriorate heading into Friday.
"We are expecting this to come through during the evening," Dlamini explained. "Into Friday, we are expecting higher chances of showers and thundershowers across KZN with an 80% chance—dropping to 60% for the northeastern parts of the province."
While widespread damaging winds are expected to impact most of the province, the southwestern areas—including Harding, Underberg, Kokstad, and Bergville (Okhahlamba)—are currently expected to be spared from the worst of the wind gusts. However, coastal areas face severe risks, with warnings that high winds and turbulent waves could disrupt local settlements and endanger small water vessels.
Fire Danger and Morning Mist
The severe weather follows a morning of thick mist and fog across parts of the province on Thursday, which SAWS attributed to calm winds and low cloud cover along the south and southwestern coasts.
Compounding the weather hazards, the weather service has also issued warnings for extremely high fire danger conditions across the central and northeastern sections of KZN on Thursday, heightening the risk of rapid veld fires ahead of the incoming storms.
Authorities advise residents in affected areas to secure loose outdoor items, monitor local weather updates closely, and exercise extreme caution on the roads and near coastal waters.