The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms expected over the Northern Cape, northern parts of the Western Cape, western Free State, extreme western North West, and the extreme southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
The warning is valid from 9:00 to 22:59 on Saturday and forecasts severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, strong damaging winds, hail, and excessive lightning. These conditions could cause localized flooding on roads, in low-lying areas, and around bridges, with potential damage to settlements and infrastructure.
Rainfall chances were reported to be as high as 80% across parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and southern Free State, with other areas including central interior regions seeing around 60% probability of rain, according to the South African Weather Service and national media reports.
Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, SAWS also warned of strong winds and high waves, which could affect small harbours, ports, and marine navigation. This coastal threat compounds the widespread warnings across the country.
SAWS initially posted this warning on social media on 24 September, alerting residents and authorities to prepare for the storm system that is expected to cause challenging weather conditions over the weekend. Multiple independent media outlets have confirmed this alert.
Although precise details on damage, flooding, or injuries within specific communities remain unverified, the forecast highlights significant risks for infrastructure and informal settlements particularly vulnerable to adverse weather.
Residents in affected areas, especially in the Western and Northern Cape, are advised to monitor official updates closely and take precautions against possible flooding and high winds. Transport disruptions and localized flood-related hazards are possible throughout the storm’s duration.
The unsettled and stormy weather is expected to persist into Sunday, with further thunderstorms and strong winds forecast across several provinces, continuing to impact daily life and transport.
This report is compiled from official SAWS briefings and verified media sources, with no direct local damage or casualty reports confirmed by Cape Flats-based community sources or SAPS at the time of publication.
We will continue to monitor the situation locally and provide updates as new information becomes available.