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SAWS confirms a tornado struck Utrecht, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday night
Another tornado on Friday struck the KwaZulu-Natal town of Utrecht, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) confirmed.
In two statements posted to Twitter, the service noted that the weather phenomenon occurred on Friday evening.
SAWS explained that the tornado spawned from a “severe storm” that developed between Newcastle and Dundee. While it weakened as it changed course and moved towards Utrecht, it strengthened once again.
“Spectific radar signatures suggested that tornadic activity was present,” SAWS added.
It also posted images from local publication Newcastle Advertiser showing destruction to property.
According to the Advertiser, “barbed wire, branches, trees and more” are scattered across the town. The images also depict damaged cars and houses.
The South African Weather Service can confirm that a tornado did occur in the Utrecht area in KwaZulu-Natal this Friday evening (22 November 2019). (Images Source: Newcastle Advertiser). More information about this soon. pic.twitter.com/BzZ5wNiuk9
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 22, 2019
More footage published by Arrive Alive on Saturday morning also shows the extent of the damage.
[Photos] South African Weather Service confirms that a tornado occured in the Utrecht area in KwaZulu-Natal https://t.co/SzWdet8wZv #ArriveAlive #Tornado @SAWeatherServic @EMERGCONTROL pic.twitter.com/b3lRv1XMRw
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 23, 2019
The Utrecht tornado comes just weeks after tornadoes struck other areas near New Hanover and Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal.
Media release: Tornado in New Hanover KwaZulu-Natal. pic.twitter.com/MymcO2h5R7
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 13, 2019
Earlier this week, SAWS issued a release regarding phenomena that many believed were tornadoes, seen near Bapsfontein, Gauteng and Delmas, Mpumalanga.
It confirmed that these were merely “gustnadoes”, a type of dust devil-like whirlwind.
Follow the South African Weather Service
Weather is fickle and subject to change, so we’d recommend following SAWS on its official Twitter account, especially for severe thunderstorm updates.
And be sure to bookmark its warnings portal too, where it regularly updates the advisories and more serious information on the daily.
Edit: We’ve updated the article with the latest information provided by SAWS.
Feature image: Andy Walker/Memeburn
