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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Extreme winter weather expected to start this weekend
A particularly intense cut-off low system, associated with severe and extreme winter weather, is expected to affect South Africa in the coming days. It will persist until at least the middle of next week over the eastern provinces, said the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The weather service indicated that this system will begin affecting the Western and Northern Cape early on Saturday morning, June 7. 'By Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10, this extensive and severe winter weather system will have shifted further east over South Africa, affecting the central and eastern provinces. 'A significant and dramatic drop in daytime temperatures can be expected over all provinces, with the possible exception of Limpopo. Consequently, farmers of small stock are strongly advised to implement appropriate measures to prevent stock losses due to exposure to bitter cold and wind,' the SAWS said on Thursday. The weather service has warned of snowfall over almost every province, with the exception of Limpopo. Some of these snowfalls will be disruptive, affecting traffic flow over mountain passes, for example, the N3 highway at Van Reenen's pass on Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10. 'Strong, damaging surface winds over large parts of the interior provinces from Sunday, leading to an elevated risk of wildfires, especially over the central and eastern interior, ahead of the cold change. These extreme conditions are expected to persist over some of the eastern provinces until Wednesday. 'Strong to near-gale force coastal winds and very rough seas from Friday along the south-west coast, spreading to the south and east coasts during Saturday, and lasting until at least Tuesday along the east coast,' it said. Heavy rainfall leading to localised flooding and infrastructure damage will be experienced over parts of the Eastern Cape coast and adjacent interior on Sunday, shifting to southern KwaZulu-Natal on Monday. As of Sunday, many provinces will experience bitterly cold daytime conditions, with maximum temperatures unlikely to exceed +10 C. These conditions will be exacerbated by strong, gusty winds. There is also a risk of severe thunderstorms; possibly associated with damaging hail and/or damaging winds over some provinces, including North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal during Monday and Tuesday. 'The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the expected weather systems and will issue subsequent updates as required,' it said. Furthermore, intermediate updates may be followed on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media platforms. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
SA braces for heavy rain and cold weather conditions
Heavy rain and cold weather conditions are expected this week, as a cut-off low weather system sweeps across most parts of the country. According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a cut-off low system is expected to make landfall over the western interior of South Africa on Wednesday, April 23 , and move slowly eastwards, likely to exit the country by Saturday, April 26. 'Scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers are expected over the central and eastern parts of the country, with rainfall accumulations exceeding 50 mm in the eastern regions on Wednesday and Thursday. 'Severe thunderstorms associated with flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage or loss of infrastructure, property, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock, especially over the Free State and North West. There is also a distinct possibility of damaging hail occurring in association with the thunderstorms,' the SAWS said in a statement. Snowfalls are also expected over the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape during this period. In addition, daytime temperatures are expected to drop significantly across most parts of the country from Wednesday, with a gradual recovery from Friday onwards. The South African Weather Service said it will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates, as required. Intermediate updates may be followed on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media platforms. – At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
