South African Weather Service Warns of Potential Flooding and Storms Across Multiple Provinces

• The South African Weather Service (SAWS) predicted that Gauteng and Limpopo could see heavier downpours
• The weather service warned that the rains may cause flooding, strong winds, and damage to infrastructure
• Residents are advised to take the warnings seriously and stay indoors where possible

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

Heavy rain and thundershowers are forecast to affect several parts of the country on Sunday, 28 December 2025, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the North West.

Downpours exceeding 80%

The South African Weather Service has indicated that Gauteng and Limpopo are likely to experience particularly heavy rainfall, with the probability of downpours exceeding 80%. The service has warned that the weather conditions could lead to localised flooding, strong winds and possible damage to infrastructure, urging residents to take precautions and remain indoors where possible.

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Motorists have also been cautioned to drive carefully, as wet and hazardous road conditions are expected to persist throughout the day. According to weather forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela, severe thunderstorms are anticipated over the Highveld of Mpumalanga and into the south-western parts of Limpopo, with heavy rainfall potentially causing flooding, along with damaging winds, hail and excessive lightning later in the afternoon.

Other weather-related stories

In a separate report, Briefly News stated that severe storms swept through parts of Tshwane over the weekend, triggering flooding that disrupted transport routes and affected residential areas across the city. Emergency services confirmed they were inundated with weather-related calls as rising water levels flooded roads and homes in multiple locations. Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said incidents were reported in areas including Centurion, Temba, Hammanskraal and Olievenhoutbosch.

A desperate recovery operation is underway in New Hanover, KwaZulu-Natal, following heavy rains in the area, which left three people missing. The three individuals were swept away by severe flooding in the uMshwathi Local Municipality on Sunday, 23 November 2025. Officials confirmed that the three missing people were a 20-year-old female, a 40-year-old female and a 30-year-old male. Two of the individuals are foreign nationals.

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Severe thunderstorms in KwaZulu-Natal destroy 125 homes, injure three residents

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for 11 March 2025. Provinces like Gauteng, the North West, the Free State, and Mpumalanga will experience heavy rainfall, which could lead to flooding. SAWS posted on its South African Weather Service Facebook page and updated the nation about the weather patterns for the day. Half of the country is expected to experience between 30% and 60% chances of rainfall. Provinces like Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga will experience scattered thundershowers and rainfall.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued Yellow Level warnings for provinces in the country as Christmas Day draws nearer. According to SAWS, a Yellow Level 4 warning was issued for parts of the Northern Cape, North West and the Free State. These parts of the country will experience heavy downpours, which will lead to low visibility. Flooding on susceptible roads is also expected, and flooding is likely to affect vulnerable informal settlements and low-lying bridges. A large amount of hail, damaging winds and excessive lightning will accompany the storm.

Source: Briefly News