Severe weather warnings: Cold fronts and snowfall to impact South Africa this week
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
South Africans are facing a dramatic week of winter weather as a powerful sequence of cold fronts sweeps across the country, unleashing damaging winds, disruptive coastal swells, and snowfall in high-lying areas.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued multiple Yellow Level 1 warnings ahead of what could be one of the most turbulent stretches of weather this winter.
The first front was due to make landfall over the south-western coast on Monday morning, August 4, bringing gale-force winds and sea swells of up to 5.5 meters.
A secondary front is forecast to follow close behind by the evening, intensifying conditions along the Western Cape coastline.
'These conditions will result in disruptions to beachfront activities such as people being swept off rocks,' SAWS cautioned.
'Coastal users and anglers on low-lying rocks are at risk of being caught off guard by high-energy waves and swept off to sea.'
By Monday evening, large parts of the coast between Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas will be under threat from disruptive wave activity.
By Tuesday morning, this swell is expected to spread further east to Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay, putting both recreational beachgoers and small vessel operators on high alert.
Inland, residents of the Northern Cape and Central Karoo are bracing for strong interior winds, with speeds reaching 50km/h and gusts of up to 70km/h. Dust storms and crosswinds are likely to create hazardous driving conditions, especially for high-sided vehicles.
'Strong gusty winds are expected over the central parts of the Northern Cape,' the SAWS warned.
'Impacts include localised damage to informal settlements, reduced visibility due to dust, and the risk of localised runaway fires.'
As the cold front pushes further inland on Tuesday, August 5, temperatures are expected to plummet across much of the central and southern interior. Scattered to widespread rain is forecast for the Western Cape, southern Eastern Cape, and parts of the Northern Cape and Free State.
Worcester and Beaufort West are expecting up to a 60% chance of rainfall, while areas such as Springbok, Graaff-Reinet, and East London sit at around 30%.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop over high-lying regions, coupled with biting cold and strengthening southerly winds along the coast, which will make conditions feel even more frigid.
By Wednesday, August 6, the wintry weather intensifies as a second cold front barrels eastward, bringing a new round of widespread rainfall and snow to higher-altitude areas.
The Eastern Cape interior, particularly around Mthatha, Aliwal North, and Barkly East, is in line for snow accumulation.
SAWS predicts a 60% chance of snowfall in mountainous parts of the Eastern Cape, while the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal could see a 30% chance of rain and light snow over elevated terrain.
By midweek, freezing temperatures will dominate the landscape, heightening the risk of travel disruptions, power outages, and treacherous road conditions, particularly in rural or mountainous areas.
Residents are urged to stay updated with official warnings and avoid unnecessary travel during peak weather activity.
IOL News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa braces for another severe cold front. These are the provinces affected
It's another rough few days for South Africans with more cold and snow on the way. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Media A cold front is set to bring cloudy and cold conditions, widespread showers, and a risk of snow across central and eastern South Africa between Wednesday and Thursday. The severe weather is attributed to a Cut-off-low (COL) system, which will affect the central and eastern parts of the country. Provinces most likely to be impacted include Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are expected. General conditions across these regions will be cloudy and cold-to-cool, with a 30-60% chance of showers and thundershowers. Snowfall is specifically anticipated over the escarpment areas of the Eastern Cape, Free State, and Lesotho. For Gauteng, the SA Weather Service has issued warnings of possible severe weather overnight into Thursday. Snow Report Southern Africa has also indicated the possibility of sleet or snow-like conditions in Gauteng on Wednesday and Thursday. The likelihood of icy and wet conditions is high and could increase the risk of incidents. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading In response to the impending severe weather, the Gauteng Provincial Joint Operations Centre (JOC), an initiative of the Gauteng Police Board, has urged residents to take precautions to ensure safety. They advise the public to closely follow updates and remain alert for any possible impacts on travel routes. For individuals planning long-distance travel, it is strongly recommended to carry warm clothes, extra food, and basic emergency supplies as a precaution. The JOC further advises that if any routes become dangerous, individuals should consider turning around and seeking a place of safety. The Gauteng Provincial JOC team will be actively monitoring events and has committed to issuing alerts should any dangerous situations arise. Beyond the cold and snow, the forecast also includes warnings for severe thunderstorms and potentially damaging waves in affected areas. Residents across the impacted regions are encouraged to stay informed and prioritise their safety during this period of challenging weather. IOL
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Severe weather: Gauteng to face thunderstorms, hail, and flooding
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 3 warning for severe thunderstorms in Gauteng for Thursday, 7 August. As a cut-off low sweeps across the province, residents are warned of potential travel disruptions, localised flooding, and damaging winds. Cold conditions are expected to settle over Gauteng starting Wednesday, with the chilliest day anticipated to be Thursday. SAWS senior forecaster Tokelo Chiloane confirmed the forecast, saying, 'From tomorrow, we are having a cut-off low. Although it is located over the central parts of the country, it is expected to hit the central and eastern parts of the country.' According to Chiloane, Johannesburg is expected to reach a maximum temperature of only 13°C on Thursday, while Pretoria will peak at 14°C. Furthermore, the cold snap will accompany afternoon thundershowers, strong winds, and large amounts of small hail in some areas. Although the severe conditions will only last for a short period, SAWS has cautioned that the storms could cause significant impacts, particularly on roads and infrastructure. The intense thunderstorm activity is predicted to bring damaging winds and localised flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and informal settlements. Commuters and motorists have been urged to exercise extreme caution. Additionally, the weather pattern is driven by a cut-off low-pressure system, which will shift eastwards after Thursday. 'It will move to the eastern parts of the country,' said Chiloane. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
American content creator's huge TIP leaves Soweto Uber driver close to tears
There's something undeniably magnetic about South Africa's warmth – a charm woven into the way locals engage with others, a spirit of generosity and joy that seems to effortlessly captivate those who visit. This was the experience of American content creator Steven Schapiro, who recently travelled to Cape Town and found himself moved by the authenticity and charisma of South Africans. In a viral moment shared on TikTok, Schapiro captured a heartwarming interaction at a local restaurant where he was dining with his unofficial tour guide, driver, and friend. The group was served by a waitron named Olivia, whose humour and energy made an impression. 'Something about this woman tells us that she is this way with all her customers,' said Schapiro, who was so touched by her presence that he left her a '$500 tip' at the end of their meal. NOTE: While the TikTok video suggested it was $500, it didn't appear to be that much. @steven_schapiro tipping waitresses $500 in South Africa ❤️ #fyp #foryou ♬ original sound – Steven Schapiro It turns out Schapiro's trip had a generous mission – he aimed to give away $100 000 (approximately R1.9 million) to deserving people across South Africa, including waitresses, tradespeople, and those simply in need of a helping hand. From paying rent to covering bills, Schapiro used his platform to highlight everyday kindness and reward it in meaningful ways. Meanwhile, in another touching moment, he shared an Uber ride with a driver from Soweto. During their conversation, the driver revealed that his wife had given birth earlier that day. In a moment of kindness, Schapiro gave him R1 000 – and, inspired by the man's joy and humility, followed it with another R1 000. @steven_schapiro tipping uber drivers $500 in South Africa ❤️ #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – Steven Schapiro Schapiro's videos, which continue to circulate widely on social media, serve as a global showcase of the genuine warmth South Africans are known for. He has in excess of 4.5 million followers on TikTok. Whether it's in a smile, a joke, or a kind word, that uniquely South African charm has left a lasting impact on a visitor determined to give back. 'It's clear that hosting people and making them feel at home comes naturally to us,' one viewer commented. 'This is just who we are.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
