SA Weather Service notes likelihood of severe storms for Oct, Nov

JOHANNESBURG - the South African Weather Service says the public should remain vigilant for the possibility of severe storms over the next two months

The warning comes after two recent bouts of snow in parts of the country.

According to forecasters, icy weather at this time of the year is not unusual but the impact of last week’s snowfall is quite rare.

Forecasters say after experiencing storms, the country is in for a warmer summer with higher temperatures than normally predicted.

But the head of disaster risk reduction, Rudzani Malala, says before then – inclement weather can be expected for the rest of October in parts of the country.

“The public should remain vigilant as the upcoming month of October and November in the highveld region encompassing the northern Free State, Gauteng and the eastern highveld of Mpumalanga are well known to be, particularly, associated with severe storms and the possibility of large damaging hail and/or strong damaging surface winds, more so than an any other time of the year.”

Malala also warned communities of a relatively hot summer with the likelihood of sustained spells of hot and dry weather – with the possibility of heat waves.