Intense weather for SA this weekend

An extreme weather warning for this weekend has been issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS). A cold front is making its way to South Africa and is expected to make landfall by Friday, 21 June.

Western Cape

According to SAWS, residents of the Western Cape will be subjected to heavy rainfall and strong winds.

SAWS has also predicted a light dusting of snow along high-lying areas of the province. Temperatures are forecasted to drop below freezing in the Hex River Mountains. SAWS said in a statement, ‘Snowfalls are also likely over the southern mountains of the Western Cape on Friday night to Saturday morning.’

Strong to gale force winds are predicted for the Western Cape. According to SAWS, ‘Strong westerly to northwesterly winds (40-60 km/h) can be expected from the morning onwards over the entire Western Cape Province ahead of the arrival of the cold front.

‘Moreover, gale force winds (60-75 km/h, 80-100 km/h) can also be expected in places over the Central Karoo, Breede River Valley districts and Cape Peninsula.

‘Gale force winds associated with the passage of the cold front are also anticipated on Friday […] along the coast between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay.’

Most of the Western Cape can also expect rain from midday on Friday. 20-30 mm of rain is expected in the western parts of the province on Friday, with the high-lying mountainous areas receiving 40-50 mm.

Gauteng

Gauteng Weather has issued a warning on social media that temperatures are expected to be the lowest this year so far as a result of the cold front. The lowest temperature is predicted to be 2°C on Sunday.

Eastern Cape

According to SAWS, the southern coast of the Eastern Cape is predicted to experience high sea swells from Saturday morning.

‘High seas (exceeding six metres) are expected to reach the southwestern coastline of the Western Cape by Friday evening, spreading eastwards and reaching the southern coast of the Eastern Cape, as far east as Port Elizabeth.’

KwaZulu-Natal

Parts of the KZN province are experiencing sub-zero temperatures, such as the Drakensberg Mountains.