SA Weather Services urges citizens to follow short-range forecasts for safety reasons

The South African Weather Service is urging people to follow its short-range forecasts so that they are prepared for changes in weather conditions.

The service held a media briefing on Tuesday to provide an outlook for the summer season.

It’s warned of increased rain and thunderstorms in some parts of the country.

The weather service's lead scientist, Christine Engelbrecht, said it was extremely important for people to remain informed of the latest forecast for their safety.

"The absolute importance of following the short-range forecasts is really important because it's in those forecasts that can give actionable warnings if such a type of severe rainfall event with that kind of thunderstorms are expected. So very crucial to follow our daily and even sub-daily, not just once a day, multiple times during the day, the updated weather forecasts."