--- title: "Eastern SA predicted to experience widespread rainfall and possible flooding next week" description: "SA’s eastern provinces should experience some relief from the recent heatwave, with widespread rainfall predicted for the upcoming week. However, a dry trend is expected to continue in the central interior regions." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "WEATHER WATCH" author: "Abigail Baard" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/abigail-baard/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-18-eastern-sa-predicted-to-experience-widespread-rainfall-and-possible-flooding-next-week/" published: "2024-12-18T21:45:35" updated: "2024-12-18T21:45:39" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 519 --- # Eastern SA predicted to experience widespread rainfall and possible flooding next week > SA’s eastern provinces should experience some relief from the recent heatwave, with widespread rainfall predicted for the upcoming week. However, a dry trend is expected to continue in the central interior regions. By Abigail Baard · Published 18 December 2024, 23:45 SAST · Updated 18 December 2024, 23:45 SAST ## Key points - Just when you thought the heatwave was here to stay, South Africa's eastern provinces are set to swap their sun hats for umbrellas as a tropical moisture infusion promises a deluge of rain from December 18-24, but watch out for potential flooding — because nothing says 'holiday cheer' like a soggy surprise! - Eastern South Africa set for a rainfall boost from 18-24 December, with 70-150mm expected across several provinces. - Relief from recent heatwaves anticipated as temperatures cool down, according to the South African Weather Service. - A Level 4 warning issued for potential flooding in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. - Central interior regions to remain dry, with only isolated thunderstorms forecasted amid ongoing drought conditions. ## Content South Africa’s eastern provinces are likely to experience a significant improvement in rainfall from 18-24 December, with tropical moisture and favourable conditions expected to bring more rainfall to the area. This comes after large parts of the interior experienced heatwaves during recent months and a particularly intense two-week heatwave during the first half of December. This is according to a media release from the South African Weather Service (Saws) on Tuesday. **Read More:**[South Africa set to face its hottest summer on record](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-12-south-africa-set-to-face-its-hottest-summer-on-record/) Saws predicted that eastern South Africa will experience between 70-150mm of accumulated rainfall during the next week in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern Free State, eastern parts of North West and the western and southern areas of Limpopo. Temperatures in the eastern parts of the country are expected to cool down and provide some relief from the extreme heat brought about by the recent heatwave, according to Saws. The rainfall is a result of the tropical moisture that is moving inland from South Africa’s tropical regions, Saws meteorologist Samkelisiwe Thwala told Daily Maverick. #### **Possible flooding** “This substantial rainfall increase is likely to elevate the risk of flooding,” said Saws. It urged the public to stay informed and updated “by following short-term weather forecasts and any warnings issued by the \[SA Weather Service\].” Saws also issued a Level 4 warning due to the rainfall predictions for Gauteng, the central and western parts of Limpopo, the Highveld and escarpment of Mpumalanga, the eastern part of the Free State and most parts of KwaZulu-Natal. **Read more:**[South Africa’s summer forecast – hot temperatures and uncertain rainfall patterns ahead for 2025](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-05-weather-watch-this-summer-expect-hot-days-late-rainfall-and-maybe-la-nina/) #### **Central interior regions to remain dry** The recent heatwave resulted in several new temperature records across South Africa, said Saws. “In addition to the extreme heat, the central and eastern interior of the country has seen significantly less rainfall this season, contributing to drought-like conditions and low catchment water levels.” Although the eastern provinces are expected to experience increased rainfall during the next week, the “dry trend is expected to continue over the central interior for the next week, with only isolated thunderstorms possible”, said Saws. #### **Thursday and Friday’s forecast** Saws’ weather outlook for Thursday, 19 December, is isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are possible in the central and eastern areas of the country and are expected to be widespread over KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. “The expected thunderstorms may result in heavy downpours that may lead to localised flooding, a possibility of damaging winds as well as hail in places over Gauteng, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga as well as the southern parts of Limpopo.” Parts of Mpumalanga and the western Bushveld of Limpopo were expected to experience between 60-70mm of rain on Thursday, with heavy downpours, said Thwala. ![The weather outlook for Thursday, 19 December. (Graphic: South African Weather Service)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/te7zfP4fIfsKCptnvVvgNmb5xno=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Graphic-1.jpg) *(Graphic: SA Weather Service)* On Friday, “Isolated showers and thundershowers are possible over the northeastern areas of the country, but scattered over Gauteng, Mpumalanga as well as the eastern parts of North West, with light rain expected along the south coast,” according to Saws. ![Weather outlook fri](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Graphic-2.jpg) *(Graphic: SA Weather Service)* Updated information is available on the Saws [website](http://www.weathersa.co.za). **DM**