By: Natasha Archary

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms and more hail across Gauteng on Thursday, 16 November.
SAWS says the warning is extended to the North West, north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape, the Free State and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
More hail is expected and the prediction is that there will be further damage to vehicles and infrastructure as a result.
Heavy downpours and damaging winds will further impact these parts of the country.
The weather service held a media briefing earlier on Thursday to brief the public on the recent severe weather events, the impact of El Niño, and climate change.
According to the SAWS the El Niño period in South Africa between 2015-16 was classified as the worst drought in Southern Africa in 35 years, with impacts extending into 2017.
SAWS says the recent severe weather patterns could indicate that a severe drought is on the horizon, where we can expect to see below-normal rainfall.
⚠️weather update⚠️Weather outlook for today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over the central and eastern areas of the country. Otherwise, partly cloudy and warm but it will be hot over areas in the south western parts. #saws#southafricanweather#southafrican pic.twitter.com/g0Z9tAb5Jt
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 16, 2023
The latest weather warning for severe thunderstorms and more hail comes just days after residents in Midrand and other parts of Gauteng were left with a wave of destruction following a freak hailstorm.
Hail stones the size of golf balls left several vehicles damaged, bringing down carports, wrecking homes, and malls, and causing localised flooding to parts of Gauteng within minutes.
Gauteng residents are warned to exercise caution on the roads, remain indoors, and park their vehicles under covered parking areas to avoid damage.
⚠️⚠️Weather alert update: Yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms valid for today, 16 November 2023. Impacts: Hail- will cause damage to infrastructure, heavy downpours- flooding, damaging winds- damage to infrastructure. #saws#southafricanweather #southafrican pic.twitter.com/GAFSPqsqRv
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 16, 2023
Also read: Insurance insights for residents affected by hailstorms
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