Thursday weather: Strong Coastal winds, isolated rain expected in Eastern regions

SAWS forecasts isolated rain in eastern regions and strong coastal winds for Thursday

South Africans can expect generally fine and dry conditions across much of the country on Thursday, with isolated showers forecast for parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, while strong coastal winds are set to affect sections of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coastline.

According to the South African Weather Service, only the eastern parts of the country have a 30% chance of rain, with isolated showers and light rain expected in eastern Mpumalanga, eastern Limpopo and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

Most of the central and western interior will remain dry, with no rainfall expected over the Free State, Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng and much of the Western Cape.

KwaZulu-Natal will start the day cloudy with isolated morning showers and rain before conditions improve to partly cloudy skies. Evening fog is expected over the Midlands.

The eastern half of the Eastern Cape will see cloudy conditions with light rain along the Wild Coast during the morning, while the rest of the province will be partly cloudy and cool to warm.

Weather warnings have been issued for damaging winds along the eastern coastline. A Yellow Level 2 warning is in place between Port Alfred and Port Edward, where strong winds could disrupt beachfront activities, affect small harbours and make navigation difficult for small vessels.

Another Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued between Port Edward and Richards Bay, where strong winds may also cause localised damage to infrastructure and settlements.

Inland areas are expected to remain largely pleasant. Gauteng will be partly cloudy and cool, becoming warmer in the north, while the North West Province will experience partly cloudy, windy and warm conditions. The Free State will be cool to warm, with windy conditions developing over the southwestern parts during the afternoon.

The Western Cape is forecast to be fine and warm, with hot conditions expected over central and eastern areas. Morning fog patches may occur over parts of the southern interior before clearing. Residents are urged to take precautions against the very high UVB sunburn index forecast for the province.

Meanwhile, extremely high fire danger conditions are expected in parts of the Northern Cape, including the Dawid Kruiper, Kai !Garib, Kareeberg, !Kheis and Siyathemba local municipalities, where hot, dry and windy conditions could rapidly fuel veld fires.