South Africa is heading into a stormy and unsettled weekend, with widespread thunderstorms across the interior and a cold front moving into the south-west.

According to the South African Weather Service, conditions include showers, thundershowers and unstable weather patterns across much of the country this weekend.

Main weather alerts

• Thunderstorms across central and eastern provinces
• Heavy rain, lightning and strong winds in storm-prone areas
• Localised flooding risk in low-lying regions
• Cold, wet and windy conditions in the Western Cape
• High fire danger remains in drier regions

South Africa often experiences sharp regional contrasts, with storms inland and different conditions in coastal areas.

Province-by-province forecast

Western Cape

• Cold front bringing rain and strong winds
• Cooler temperatures expected
• Typical April conditions include regular rainfall and lower temperatures

Gauteng

• Showers and thundershowers expected through the weekend
• Temperatures around 14°C to 24°C typical for April

KwaZulu-Natal

• Warm and humid conditions
• Isolated thunderstorms inland
• Coastal areas remain milder

Mpumalanga

• Partly cloudy with thunderstorms on the Highveld
• Rain expected to develop through the day

Free State

• Widespread thunderstorms
• Higher risk of heavy downpours and localised flooding

North West

• Cloudy with scattered storms
• Possible flooding in vulnerable areas

Limpopo

• Warm conditions
• Isolated storms, mainly in southern parts

Northern Cape

• Isolated thunderstorms in eastern areas
• Dry conditions elsewhere
• Elevated fire danger risk

Eastern Cape

• Partly cloudy
• Scattered showers along coastal and eastern areas

Where the biggest risks are

Highest impact expected in:

• Free State
• North West
• Gauteng
• Mpumalanga
• Western Cape (cold front zone)

What to expect this weekend

• Sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain
• Reduced visibility and difficult driving conditions
• Lightning and strong winds
• Cooler temperatures in the Western Cape

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