The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of another intense cold front that is expected to pass over most provinces from Thursday, 26 August.
Rain, icy cold weather, snowfall and strong winds are anticipated – and South Africans are cautioned to plan accordingly.
“An intense cold front associated with a steep upper-air trough, currently developing over the western Atlantic Ocean, will affect the western parts of the country on Thursday and Friday, spreading to the southern and central parts on Saturday.
“Rainy and very cold conditions with snow on the high-lying areas will set in over the western parts of the Western Cape from Thursday afternoon, 26 August 2021, spreading to the western and southern parts of the Northern Cape and the remainder of the Western Cape overnight into Friday, 27 August 2021,” SAWS confirmed on Tuesday.
The cold front will first pass over the Western and Northern Cape from Thursday to Saturday then move over into the central interior over the Eastern Cape and then KwaZulu-Natal.
“Widespread rainfall will set in over the western parts of the Western Cape on Thursday afternoon, spreading to the western and southern parts of the Northern Cape overnight. Rainfall accumulations of 20 to 30 mm can be expected, with heavier falls, of the order of 40 to 50 mm expected over the south-western Cape,” the weather service said.
Due to the heavy rainfall, there is a likelihood of localised flooding in informal settlements. Motorists need to be extra vigilant on the roads amid the adverse weather conditions as it might impair visibility.
“Snowfall is expected over the high-lying areas of the Western Cape and the southern and western high- lying areas of the Northern Cape, mainly from Friday spreading to the high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal during Saturday.”
According to SAWS, high winds with speeds of 40 to 60 km/h are likely to gust over parts of the interior of South Africa.
“Such strong, gusty winds may cause difficulties for high-sided vehicles along major routes, especially over the interior of the Western Cape, the interior of the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape, western Free State and the western parts of the North West province from Thursday into Friday. In addition, the public are urged to exercise caution and to refrain from lighting fires in the open and/ or discarding lit cigarettes or matches,” SAWS advised.
They will update South Africans again on more advanced weather patterns as it becomes available. The public is urged to visit www.weathersa.co.za or follow @SAWeatherServ for further information.
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