Tuesday’s weather: Severe thunderstorms hit Gauteng, KZN, Free State and North West
Tuesday weather: Severe thunderstorms hit Gauteng and KZN as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warns of potentially damaging thunderstorms, localised flooding and strong winds across parts of the country.
A Yellow Level 2 impact-based warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms affecting parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, the Free State and North West.
The warning indicates the possibility of localised damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, homes, vehicles, livelihoods and livestock. Motorists could also encounter flooded roads, low-lying areas and bridges, while minor vehicle accidents are possible.
Residents in affected areas are urged to remain alert and monitor official weather updates as conditions can change quickly.
Severe thunderstorms trigger Yellow Level 2 warning
The Severe thunderstorms expected on Tuesday could produce several potentially hazardous conditions.
According to the SAWS warning, the affected areas include southern and eastern KwaZulu-Natal, southern and central Gauteng, eastern parts of the Free State and areas along the Lesotho border. The extreme eastern parts of North West are also included.
The biggest risks include heavy downpours, lightning, strong winds and localised flooding.
Low-lying roads and bridges can become particularly dangerous during thunderstorms because water can accumulate rapidly.
Residents living in informal settlements should also take precautions because strong winds and heavy rain can damage structures.
Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flooded roads, especially where the depth of the water cannot be established.
What does Yellow Level 2 mean?
The SAWS colour-coded warning system is designed to indicate the potential impact of hazardous weather.
A Yellow Level 2 warning indicates a moderate level of concern requiring awareness and caution.
It does not mean that every location within the warning area will experience severe conditions. Weather impacts can be highly localised, with some communities experiencing intense thunderstorms while nearby areas receive little or no rain.
The latest forecast therefore makes it important for residents to follow localised updates rather than relying only on general provincial forecasts.
Gauteng weather forecast
The Gauteng weather forecast calls for partly cloudy, windy and cool to warm conditions, with isolated showers and thundershowers.
The province is among the areas included in the Yellow Level 2 severe thunderstorm warning.
Johannesburg is expected to reach a minimum of around 10°C and a maximum of 22°C, while Pretoria could range between 13°C and 24°C.
Vereeniging is expected to record temperatures between 13°C and 23°C.
Residents across southern and central Gauteng should be particularly alert because these areas fall within the warning zone.
Thunderstorms can bring sudden changes in visibility, strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall over short periods.
People travelling during the day should therefore allow extra time and exercise caution around roads and low-lying areas.
KwaZulu-Natal weather warning
The KwaZulu-Natal weather forecast indicates partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers.
Durban is expected to record temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, while Richards Bay could reach 29°C.
Pietermaritzburg is forecast to range between 17°C and 26°C, with Ladysmith expected to reach between 15°C and 26°C.
The southern and eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal are included in the Yellow Level 2 thunderstorm warning.
Along the coast, moderate to fresh north-easterly winds are expected, while lighter to moderate southerly to south-westerly winds are expected in the extreme south before spreading northwards.
People living in affected coastal and inland areas should monitor changing conditions, particularly when thunderstorms develop.
Free State weather outlook
The Free State weather forecast points to partly cloudy, windy and cool to warm conditions.
Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected, although showers should be more isolated in the south-west.
Bloemfontein is expected to record temperatures between 8°C and 19°C.
Welkom could reach a high of 22°C after a low of around 11°C, while Bethlehem is expected to range between 9°C and 18°C.
The eastern parts of the province are included in the Yellow Level 2 severe thunderstorm warning, as are areas along the Lesotho border.
Heavy rainfall in a short period can create dangerous conditions around drainage systems, bridges and low-lying roads.
Residents should therefore avoid crossing flooded roads and should never attempt to drive through moving water.
North West weather conditions
The North West weather forecast is partly cloudy, windy and cool to warm, with isolated showers and thundershowers expected in most areas.
The extreme north-western parts of the province are expected to remain mostly dry.
Klerksdorp could experience temperatures between 11°C and 23°C, while Potchefstroom is expected to range between 12°C and 23°C.
Mahikeng could record between 11°C and 24°C, while Rustenburg is forecast to reach a maximum of 26°C.
Vryburg is expected to be cooler, with temperatures between 9°C and 21°C.
The extreme eastern parts of North West are included in the severe thunderstorm warning.
Weather across other provinces
While the main warning focuses on parts of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and North West, other provinces will also experience a mixture of conditions.
Mpumalanga is expected to be fine in the Lowveld, while other areas will be partly cloudy, windy and cool to warm with isolated showers and thundershowers. Skukuza could reach 31°C.
Limpopo will generally be fine to partly cloudy and warm to hot, with isolated showers and thundershowers possible in the south-west and southern parts. Musina could reach 33°C, while Polokwane is expected to reach 28°C.
The Northern Cape is expected to be partly cloudy, windy and cool to warm, with isolated showers and thundershowers in the south-east.
The Western Cape will generally be cloudy and cool, with a chance of light evening rain in parts of the west.
The Eastern Cape will see partly cloudy conditions in many areas, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, particularly in the eastern half.
Safety tips during thunderstorms
The forecast for Tuesday weather: Severe thunderstorms hit Gauteng and KZN highlights the importance of taking basic precautions.
Residents should remain indoors when thunderstorms become intense and avoid standing under isolated trees.
People should also avoid open fields, hilltops and other exposed locations during lightning activity.
Electrical equipment should be unplugged where practical during severe storms, particularly if there is frequent lightning.
Motorists should reduce their speed when heavy rain reduces visibility and should avoid flooded roads.
Pedestrians should also take care around drainage channels, rivers and bridges because rapidly rising water can become dangerous.
Those living in informal settlements should secure loose objects and, where possible, move valuable belongings away from areas vulnerable to flooding.
Livestock owners should also monitor conditions because the SAWS warning includes potential impacts on livestock and agricultural livelihoods.
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Tuesday weather requires caution
The Tuesday weather: Severe thunderstorms hit Gauteng and KZN forecast highlights a potentially unsettled day across several parts of South Africa.
Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and parts of North West face the greatest concerns associated with the Yellow Level 2 warning.
The possible combination of thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rainfall and localised flooding means residents should remain weather-aware throughout the day.
Conditions can change rapidly, and thunderstorms may develop in isolated locations without affecting an entire province.
The safest approach is therefore to monitor official SAWS updates, avoid unnecessary travel through flooded areas and take shelter when severe thunderstorms approach.
For communities in affected areas, preparation can help reduce the risk of damage and injury.
As Tuesday progresses, residents should continue checking local weather information for updates, especially if travelling or working outdoors.
The latest SAWS forecast serves as a reminder that severe weather can create dangerous conditions within a short period, making awareness and early preparation essential.
Mainstream media references
- The Citizen – Tuesday’s weather: Heavy downpours, strong winds and rough seas — Covers the SAWS forecast for Tuesday, 15 September 2026, including weather warnings and provincial forecasts for Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and North West.
Read The Citizen weather report - Eyewitness News (EWN) – WEATHER: Cape Town faces rain and strong winds on Tuesday as Gauteng heats up — Provides the Tuesday forecast for Johannesburg, Pretoria and other parts of South Africa.
Read the EWN weather report - Eyewitness News (EWN) – Heavy downpours set to lash parts of SA — Reports on SAWS warnings, including thunderstorms, hail, lightning, strong winds and potential flooding affecting several provinces.
Read the EWN severe weather report - TimesLIVE – Orange level 6 warning as severe thunderstorms, flooding and hail expected — Reports on SAWS severe-weather warnings, including risks associated with thunderstorms, flooding, strong winds and hail.
Read the TimesLIVE weather report
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