Severe cold fronts to hit South Africa: Heavy rain, snow, and strong winds expected
Heavy rain, strong winds and snow are forecast across parts of South Africa as multiple cold fronts sweep through, with the South African Weather Service urging residents to prepare for disruptive conditions.
Image: X
South Africa is bracing for a series of intense winter systems set to bring widespread showers, very cold temperatures, and disruptive weather across several provinces from Thursday through the weekend.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a series of cold fronts are expected to move in from Thursday into Sunday, affecting mainly the Western and Northern Cape, with impacts likely to spill into parts of the Free State and Eastern Cape.
On Thursday, rainfall probabilities range from 30% isolated showers over parts of the Northern Cape, to 60% scattered rain over the central interior, including Bloemfontein and Aliwal North, and up to 80% widespread rain forecast along the south-western coastal regions, including Worcester and surrounding areas.
"A series of cold fronts are expected to bring scattered to widespread showers and rain over the western parts of the Western Cape from Thursday until Sunday," SAWS warned.
In addition to rain, strong winds are expected to accompany these systems, particularly along the south-west coast, with gusts reaching 80 km/h between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas on Friday.
This has prompted a yellow level 2 warning for wind on Friday, with SAWS stating, "A cold front is expected to make landfall over western parts of the Western Cape on Friday resulting in strong to gale force winds."
By Friday, very cold conditions will spread further inland, with snow possible over the high peaks of the Eastern Cape and southern Drakensberg regions.
The rainfall probabilities for Friday remain high, with 60% scattered rain across southern interior parts and 30% isolated showers extending towards the Free State and southern KwaZulu-Natal.
The weekend will continue to see unsettled weather, with another cold front expected to reach the Western Cape on Sunday, bringing further showers and strong south-westerly waves of 4.5 to 5.5 metres between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay.
"Another cold front is expected to affect the Western Cape on Sunday. This will result in south-westerly waves of 4.5 to 5.5m as well as wave periods of 10-12s," SAWS confirmed.
Due to these conditions, SAWS has issued multiple impact-based warnings, including a yellow level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall in the Western Cape from Thursday to Sunday.
The service warns of possible flooding of roads and low-lying areas, danger to life from fast-flowing streams, and potential disruptions to essential services.
"Rain-on-rain together with saturated soils will lead to significant impacts," SAWS highlighted.
Furthermore, very cold, wet and windy conditions are forecast over the interior of the Western Cape and the southern parts of the Namakwa district in the Northern Cape. Light snowfall is possible over the mountain peaks.
SAWS has advised the public and small stock farmers to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety and health of animals during these harsh conditions.
As the country prepares for this winter onslaught, residents are urged to stay updated with the latest forecasts and heed official warnings to mitigate the impacts of this severe weather.
IOL News