Climate change has lead to not-so-common weather conditions becoming more frequent in recent years. A tornado for example, has occurred numerous times in South Africa, with the first one recorded on 3 December 1905 in KwaZulu-Natal, and was classified F2.
This week alone, there have been two sightings of tornadoes in South Africa. The first one was spotted in the Free State on 13 November 2024. Residents in the province shared pictures of the sightings with Storm Report SA, and they have since been posted on their Facebook page.
TORNADO SIGHTINGS IN THE FREE STATE
According to the posts on Storm Report SA’s Facebook page, the tornado was sighted in the afternoon in Tshiame, just outside Harrismith. The weather-reporting social media page, which was founded in 2014, shared the images from some of the resident’s in the area of Tshiame. The snaps displayed the funnel-shaped weather phenomenon at different stages, peaking the interest of other social media users.
WHAT DID THIS WEATHER EXPERT HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE SIGHTINGS?
Briefly News reported on the tornado sightings on 14 November 2024. They revealed that according to one of the residents, this was the second tornado reported that day. The publication spoke to a former weather consultant at the South African Weather Service (SAWS) to explain further on the occurrence.
Garth Sampson of WG and Associates, a weather advisory firm, explained that it’s likely that a tornado did occur in a part of the country. He further confirmed: “Is it a tornado? Yes, it is, but I can’t judge the strength. If it didn’t touch the ground, it’s either a tornado or a funnel cloud.” Regarding what could have caused the tornado, Sampson said it could be the severe thunderstorms.
ANOTHER TORNADO SIGHTING IN MPUMALANGA
The tornado sighting in the Free State wasn’t the only in SA. Another one was seen in Mpumalanga on 14 November 2024. Multiple photos and videos from residents in the Middelburg area were shared by Storm Report SA on Facebook.
It was spotted in the early evening around the N4. The Middelburg Observer said in their report that the tornado was spotted near Rockdale and along Stoffberg Road. Other witnesses saw it between Alzu Petroport and Middelburg.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TORNADO IN YOUR AREA?
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