KZN’s Weather Update: Winds Near 100km/h, Snowfall and Flood Warnings Expand

KwaZulu-Natal is currently confronting an imminent threat from severe weather conditions, prompting widespread warnings across its towns and cities. This comes as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of critical alerts, urging communities to brace for exceptionally hazardous events.

Firstly, SAWS has issued a Level 4 warning for damaging winds across the northern half of KwaZulu-Natal, effective Tuesday, 10 June 2025.

This critical alert encompasses a broad range of communities, all expected to be significantly affected. These include:

• Newcastle
• Ladysmith
• Utrecht
• Dundee
• Estcourt
• Dannhauser
• Vryheid
• Mooi River
• Sobabili
• Jozini
• Mandeni
• eThekwini
• KwaDukuza
• Msings
• Maphumulo
• Nongoma
• uMlalazi
• Nkandla
• Indaka
• Hlabisa
• eDumbe

These potent winds, expected to range from 30 km/h to 40 km/h with gusts reaching 60 km/h to 80 km/h, are attributed to a Cut-Off Low Pressure System. Such velocities pose a significant threat, capable of inflicting considerable damage to both critical infrastructure and residential settlements.

The anticipated impacts are severe and include:

• Risk of localised runaway and structural fires.
• Damage to settlements and structures.
• Travel routes and services may be affected by wind or falling trees.
• Hazards for high-sided vehicles, particularly on exposed roads and elevated bridges due to crosswinds.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, the cut-off low pressure system will also generate strong winds of 30 km/h to 40 km/h over the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, damaging infrastructure and settlements.

Furthermore, SAWS expects winds to reach 90 km/h to 100 km/h in places over southern KZN, leading to profound impacts. Consequently, a Level 5 warning for damaging winds has been earmarked for these communities:

• Underberg
• eThekwini
• Greater Kokstad
• Ndwedwe
• The Msunduzi
• Giants Castle
• uMngeni
• Richmond

The weather service states the potential impacts of these extreme winds are:

• Injuries and danger to life from flying debris.
• Damage to both formal and informal settlements.
• Damage to temporary structures.
• Loss of agricultural production.
• Structural damage, such as roofs being blown off and trees being blown over.

Given these forecasts, SAWS urges communities to take necessary precautions. This includes awareness of cross-winds and stronger winds in exposed areas while travelling. Boats should seek shelter, and coastal activities should be avoided.

Building on this, a Level 2 warning for snow is expected over south-western KZN on Tuesday. This may lead to icy roads, potentially causing traffic disruptions and isolated loss of vulnerable livestock and crops. The towns expected to be impacted by potential snowfall are:

• Underberg
• Greater Kokstad
• Giants Castle
• Impendle
• Ingwe
• Sobabili
• Okhahlamba
• uMuziwabantu
• Umzimkhulu

SAWS explains that widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected over southern KZN. The cut-off low pressure system will cause a drop in temperatures, possibly resulting in snowfall over the south-western parts of KZN.

Moreover, SAWS has issued a Level 2 warning for disruptive rain. This may lead to flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure over extreme southern KZN on Tuesday.

This warning specifically focuses on these towns:

• Greater Kokstad
• Ray Nkonyeni
• Ubuhlebezwe
• uMdoni
• Umzimkhulu
• Umzumbe

The weather service further explained that the expected cut-off low pressure system is exiting the country on Tuesday. As a result, SAWS highlighted that scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected, accompanied by heavy downpours that may result in:

• Flooding of settlements, roads, and bridges.
• Damage to property and infrastructure.
• Poor driving conditions.
• Major traffic disruptions, due to roads being closed or flooded.

Due to these severe conditions, SAWS urged communities to stay indoors and off roads if possible. It’s crucial to avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above one’s ankles. If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, “abandon¹ the vehicle as quickly as possible”.

As inclement weather has been forecast for KZN, the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, assured residents that plans are in place to deal with any eventualities arising from the inclement weather.

“The department is working closely with Eskom and municipalities to ensure that technical teams respond swiftly to any power line disruptions caused by heavy rains, snow, and damaging winds,” stated the MEC who further urged residents in affected areas to minimise movement and stay updated on weather forecasts before embarking on any journeys.

Furthermore, Buthelezi highlighted that the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is collaborating with social partners, line function departments, and other organs of state to monitor critical routes such as the N3. Residents who find themselves on the road are advised to dress warmly and carry extra blankets. KZN CoGTA also pointed out that municipalities along the N3 and other major routes are on standby with yellow plant equipment to clear snow if needed.

With the above in mind, what are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.