The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that several cold fronts will be experienced on our shores during this week, starting from Sunday.
The first weather system of the series is an intense cold front that is expected to affect the western and central parts of the country from Sunday, and the eastern parts from Monday.
“This system is expected to bring about widespread and disruptive snowfall over the southern and western high ground, accompanied by damaging winds over the interior as well as the coastline, high seas along the coastal areas and very cold conditions over a significant part of the country.
Heavy rainfall is also expected over the western parts of the Western Cape, where flooding is likely.
The public and small stock farmers are advised to take the necessary precautions ahead of the expected adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their animals,” said SAWS in a statement.
The service added that widespread rainfall can be expected over parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces from Sunday, with heavy rain leading to possible flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape.
Residents have also been warned of strong winds (30 to 50 km/h) over large parts of the country, with damaging winds possible over parts of the Cape provinces and the central interior, including the Free State and North West.
“Very rough and high seas (with wave heights of 6,0 to 9,0m) are expected along the Western Cape and Northern Cape coast on Sunday, spreading to the coast of the Eastern Cape in the evening,” added the statement.
These adverse weather conditions may result in damage to coastal infrastructure, disruptions to harbours and ports, danger to life, and pose a risk to medium to large vessels.
The cold front will exit the country on Tuesday morning, while another cold front will be approaching the Western Cape.
“Tuesday morning will be the coldest morning of the year so far, with many localities over the interior of the country expected to drop well below freezing, with widespread morning frost anticipated.
However, daytime temperatures are expected to recover quickly. In the week ahead, residents of the Western Cape are advised to remain vigilant, as further winter weather systems can be expected to affect this region,” highlighted the statement.
