A yellow level two warning was issued for severe thunderstorms with possible heavy downpours, large amounts of small hail, damaging winds, and lightning in the Bloemfontein area on Saturday (21/9) and Sunday (22/9).

The South African Weather Service sent an advisory indicating that storms will be accompanied by strong winds, heavy rain, and hail, which may lead to local flooding.

In other parts of Central South Africa, an orange level 6 disruptive snow warning was issued over several municipalities in the Free State, such as Dihlabeng and Maluti-a-Phofung. Motorists have been urged to postpone their trips because of dangerous road conditions.

“As the Mangaung Disaster Management team we have prepared ourselves timeously after being informed by the bureau of the extreme cold weather conditions over the weekend, as rainfall is also expected,” said Mangaung disaster management spokesperson Bongi Tsoleli. “Our teams are on the ground currently making sure to respond to any problems that might arise from our communities.

“We want to warn our communities, especially those in informal settlements, to be cautious when they use stoves and make fires. Before going to bed they must make sure that the fires they lit are all out,” she said.

The impact of disruptive snow conditions in the Maluti-a-Phofung and Dihlabeng could lead to the loss of livestock and crops, roads and railway lines are temporarily affected due to the accumulation of ice, causing major traffic disruption, and some communities are temporarily inaccessible.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg