It’ll be a wet, rainy and sometimes hot period for the remaining days of the festive period.
This after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning of severe thunderstorms, rain, fire dangers and very hot conditions in some parts of the country.
The SAWS said these warnings must serve as a guide to holidaymakers to use them for their planning and safety.
In a statement, the weather service said apart from the expected marginal clearance across the western Free State, northern and western regions of the Eastern Cape, no major changes are expected on Christmas Eve.
“The widespread 80% showers and thundershowers expected across western Limpopo and northern Gauteng could be accompanied by disruptive rain and localized flooding.
However, the south-western interior will remain clear of precipitation with partly cloudy and warm conditions, but hot in places in the northern parts of the Northern Cape,” read the statement.
In addition, the SAWS said that on Christmas Day, morning drizzle is expected, reduced distribution of showers and thundershowers are anticipated in the afternoon while in the North West tiny drops of rain are expected in the afternoon.
“The weather promises to be sunny and dry, with hot to very hot conditions across most of the Cape Provinces, where fire ignition could lead to the costly spread of veld fires and extensive damage.
Members of communities are advised to report unattended fires immediately.
At this stage, weather models suggest that only the North West could experience scattered showers and thundershowers by late afternoon,” added the statement.
Moreover, the weather service indicated that the continuous moisture flow from countries north of South Africa will be one reason for the expected showery conditions this week.