SAWS: More thunderstorms are expected over large parts of South Africa

The South African Weather Service has warned that more thunderstorms are expected over large parts of the country this weekend.

Severe storms, accompanied by high winds, hit several parts of the country on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Affected provinces include Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

There were reports of extremely strong winds from several areas in Gauteng, including Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Pretoria, and Centurion.

The storm damaged some power lines feeding Rand Water’s Zuikerbosch water treatment plant in Vereeniging, affecting water supplies to several areas in the province.

Forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela says dry conditions in Gauteng contributed to the strength of the storm in Gauteng.

“Although these types of storm developments can occur at any time of year, early summer storms are notorious for often being accompanied by strong, damaging winds caused by dry microbursts, where air moving at high-speed sinks.

“Yesterday the wind speed exceeded 50 knots (114 km/h), which is consistent with the typical strength of a dry microburst.”