Any thunderstorm can produce lightning, flash flooding, very strong winds, hail and in some cases tornadoes.

Precautions 

• If outdoors DO NOT seek shelter under trees
• Listen to the radio or TV for warnings.
• If possible stay indoors well clear of windows
• Shelter pets and cover vehicles
• Disconnect all electrical appliances.
• Do not take a showers or bath or use the telephone
• If driving, STOP and park well off the road clear of trees, power lines and streams. 

Lightning occurs with every thunderstorm and must be expected as soon as thunderstorms form.

Determine the danger: 

• If you are outdoors when you hear a thunderstorm coming seek safe shelter immediately!
• If your hair stands on end, leave the area as fast as possible, as lightning will almost certainly strike that spot shortly.
• When you see the lightning FLASH count the seconds to where you hear the BANG
• At 30 seconds - suspend all outdoor activities and seek safe shelter as lightning strikes are close
• If you count 15 seconds or less, a lightning strike could occur where you are.

 Precautions 

• Unsafe areas during an electric storm are:
• Tall structures such as trees, telephone and power lines
• Hilltops
• Isolated sheds
• Open water
• Unprotected gazebos or picnic shelters
• Avoid being near:
• Metal objects such as fences, golf carts, bicycles, and motorcycles, telephone or power lines and steel structures such as pylons and windmills.
• If indoors, during a storm and stay well clear of windows. Do not:
• Hold any metal object
• Use any electrical appliance
• Use the telephone,
• Take a bath or shower.
• If you are travelling, stay in the vehicle.
• Do not swim during a thunderstorm.

 Did you know?

The Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal, especially the former Transkei region, have the highest incidence of lightning related deaths in South Africa. Thus take extra special care when in these areas. If you are outdoors when you hear a thunderstorm coming seek safe shelter immediately!

Gale force often occur along coastal regions, but also often occur during thunderstorm activity in various forms. These winds are sudden and can cause much damage, especially if they are as a result of a tornado.

Precautions 

• Stay indoors where possible away from the windows that open towards the severe winds.
• Listen to the radio or TV for warnings.
• If travelling in a vehicle be aware of sudden cross winds, especially between building.
• Be aware of the possibility of fallen trees or power lines and flying debris.
• Small boats must stay away from the sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.

Did you know?

Exotic trees are easily uprooted by strong winds, especially after prolonged periods of rain. Indigenous trees to your region are recommended.

High wind chill, snowfall, freezing rain, and cold temperatures all pose a hazard to those travelling or venturing outside and one should dress to suit the weather

Precautions 

• Stay indoors where possible.
• Listen to the radio or TV for warnings.
• If venturing outdoors dress warmly.
• If it is extremely cold, cover your mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air.
• Don't drink alcohol, consume caffeinated drinks or smoke when out in the extreme cold. All of these activities encourage
  hypothermia and frostbite.
• Protect small stock from the cold in sheds. 

DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

Precautions 

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently travelled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures
  above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
• Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on
  icy roads. 

Did you know?

Numerous vehicles are regularly stuck in mountain passes because they don’t heed weather warnings that are broadcast on radio and TV.

Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly.

Precautions 

• Listen to the radio or TV for warnings.
• Don’t make fires in the open.
• Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in open veldt.
• Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can start fires.
• Report any fires immediately.
• Prepare and maintain fire breaks in controlled manner.
• Do not leave braai and campfires unattended. 

Did you know? 

• Veldt fires occur more often in winter over our interior.
• Berg winds are the fuel for veldt fires.
• When a fire warning is issued by the SAWS it is illegal to make outdoor fires.
• Remember SAWS is the only provider of weather related warnings 

A tornado is a violently rotating storm of small diameter and is the most ferocious of all weather events.

Precautions 

• In the event of seeing a tornado, move to the pre-designated building or else move into the centre of your house and get under
  a strong piece of furniture, such as a table.
• Get out of vehicles, caravans and mobile homes, as they can be moved, overturned and even destroyed by the strong winds
  and flying debris.
• Stay away from windows, as flying glass and debris cause the most deaths.
• Do not attempt to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. Leave it immediately and seek shelter.
• If caught outside in the open, lie flat in a ditch or depression but beware of flooding if there is heavy rain.

 Did you know?

Nelson Mandela himself was witness to a tornado in Mthatha in December 1998 and had to take shelter in a chemist shop. The former Transkei and Kwazulu-Natal are prone to tornado activity.