Tornado leaves structural collapse at an informal settlement in Tongaat. Picture: Reaction Unit South Africa? OIL
South Africa has experienced a series of severe storms and tornadoes, affecting parts of Newcastle, Utrecht, Ballito, and Tongaat. The sudden onset of these extreme weather events highlights the importance of understanding how tornadoes form and the potential impact of climate change on their frequency and intensity. The severe weather was predicted due to an upper air cut-off low system, which triggered severe storms, heavy rainfall, flooding, and heavy snowfall in various regions, including the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Tornadoes are formed in areas with warm, moist air near the ground, which serves as the fuel for thunderstorms. Above this, there must be cooler, dry air, creating an unstable atmosphere conducive to severe weather. Wind shear is a significant factor in tornado formation, involving a change in wind speed and direction with height. A lifting mechanism, such as a cold front or a low-pressure system, is needed to push the warm air upwards, cooling and condensing to form thunderstorms.
Tornadoes most commonly form from supercell thunderstorms, which are characterized by a rotating updraft called a mesocyclone. As global temperatures rise, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to more severe thunderstorms. Increased heat and humidity provide more energy for storms, potentially leading to more frequent and intense tornadoes. In South Africa, warm, humid regions like KwaZulu-Natal could see more severe storms due to climate change, making tornadoes a more common threat.
