The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of disruptive rains and snowfall in most parts of the country this weekend, starting on Friday. This would mostly be experienced in the eastern and southern high-
ground of the Free State, the western and southern high-ground of KwaZulu-Natal and extending as far as the southern Highveld of Mpumalanga on Friday into Saturday morning.
SAWS has advised the public and small stock farmers to make necessary precautions ahead of the expected adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and health of their animals.
“An intense cut-off low pressure system will develop along the border of the Northern and Eastern Cape provinces and will move into the southern parts of the Free State in the evening. This system will result in widespread showers and thundershowers over parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (with possible heavy rainfall along the coastal regions), while scattered thunderstorms are possible over parts of Gauteng, western Limpopo, the eastern parts of the North West and the Free State as well as parts of Mpumalanga.
Bitterly cold daytime temperatures of 4 to 8°C can be expected over the high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape, the eastern Free State, and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal, where widespread snowfall is likely,” read a statement from SAWS.
The service also warned that these adverse conditions may result in the closure of mountain passes, loss of livestock and crops, and affect major traffic routes, parts of the N3, N5 and N11.
Meanwhile, the N3 Toll Concession announced on Friday night that the severe weather has resulted in the closure of the N3 between Harrismith and Tugela Toll, as well as the R617 between Kokstad and Underberg.
It has advised residents planning to travel on these roads to postpone their journeys due to the current hazardous conditions.
The City of Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) has urged residents to exercise caution when using heating devices during this freezing weather.
“The drop in temperatures means that our residents throughout the City of Johannesburg will be tempted to use all sorts of heating devices to try and warm themselves against these extremely cold temperatures in the
process making themselves vulnerable to fire incidents at home.
We therefore would like to urge all our residents to use all heating devices safely, that is heaters, imbaula, paraffin stoves, and candles, not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home
during these extremely cold temperatures,” said Mulaudzi.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department also cautioned the public to keep warm, and safe during the cold conditions.
“The cut-off low-pressure system is expected to weaken and exit the country from Saturday afternoon. Daytime temperatures are expected to recover quickly from Sunday into Monday. Members of the public are urged to be cautious during the cold weather to ensure the safety and well-being of people, animals, and property,” warned the services acting spokesperson, Lindsay Mnguni.
