Today’s Weather SAWS Update:
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued weather warnings for Wednesday, 19 February 2025, with heavy rain and strong winds expected across multiple provinces. Residents in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Mpumalanga should brace for potential flooding and challenging conditions.
Weather Warnings for 19 February
Impact-Based Warnings
SAWS has issued an orange level 2 warning for disruptive rain, which could lead to:
✅ Flooding of roads, bridges, and settlements
✅ Damage to property and infrastructure
✅ Risk to life in low-lying areas
This warning applies to:
- Gauteng
- Northern and coastal regions of KwaZulu-Natal
- Extreme south-eastern Eastern Cape
- Eastern Free State & North West
- South-western Mpumalanga
Additionally, a yellow level 2 warning is in place for:
- Central and eastern Free State & North West
- Western Bushveld of Limpopo
- Central and south-western Mpumalanga
- Extreme eastern Eastern Cape
Damaging Winds Alert
⚠️ Strong winds between Cape St. Francis and Gansbaai may cause:
🚢 Navigation difficulties for boats and small vessels
⚓ Dragging anchors & high waves
Fire Danger Warnings
🔥 Extremely high fire risks are expected over:
- Western parts of the Western Cape
- Garden Route and its interior
Residents are advised to take precautions, avoid open flames, and report any fires immediately.
Provincial Weather Forecast for 19 February
Gauteng
🌫️ Morning fog, followed by cloudy and cool weather with widespread showers throughout the day.
Mpumalanga
🌫️ Morning fog over the escarpment, with cool to warm temperatures. Widespread showers and thundershowers, but scattered in the north and north-east.
Limpopo
🌫️ Morning fog along the escarpment, followed by scattered showers and thundershowers in the south-western Bushveld. The extreme north-east will see only isolated showers.
North West
🌧️ Cloudy and cool conditions, with widespread showers and thundershowers. The west will have isolated showers.
Free State
☁️ Cloudy and cool to warm, with scattered to widespread thundershowers. The south-west will see isolated showers.
Northern Cape
🌫️ Morning fog along the north coast, then partly cloudy and warm to hot. Windy conditions expected, with isolated thundershowers over the interior and scattered rain in the south.
Western Cape
☁️ Cloudy weather along the south coast, with windy conditions. Partly cloudy and warm to hot inland, and very hot in the west. Isolated thundershowers possible in the north and north-western regions.
Eastern Cape (Western Half)
🌧️ Cloudy and cool, with isolated showers and thundershowers over the interior.
Eastern Cape (Eastern Half)
☁️ Cloudy and cold (cool along the coast) with scattered showers and thundershowers, increasing to widespread rain in the east.
KwaZulu-Natal
🌧️ Cloudy and cool, but cold in the south-west, with widespread showers and thundershowers throughout the province.
Safety Tips for Severe Weather Conditions
✔️ Avoid flooded areas – Do not attempt to cross rivers or low-lying bridges.
✔️ Secure outdoor items – Strong winds can cause debris to fly.
✔️ Check for updates – Stay informed through SAWS alerts and local news.
✔️ Prepare for power outages – Charge devices and have emergency supplies ready.
✔️ Be cautious on the roads – Wet conditions increase the risk of accidents.
As severe weather grips South Africa, take precautions and stay safe. Authorities are monitoring conditions and will provide updates as needed.
Stay informed with the latest weather alerts! Keep up with real-time updates and share this with friends and family who may be affected.
