Latest news with #SAWeatherServic
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
SAWS warns of cold weather conditions
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that a cut-off-low is expected to result in cloudy and cold conditions over the central and eastern parts of the country between Wednesday and Thursday. These weather conditions will be accompanied by isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal. 'Snowfall is also expected over the escarpments of the Eastern Cape and Lesotho,' the weather service said. The weather service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates as required. Weather updates will be shared on the following platforms: X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service) or other SAWS-supported social media. –
The Citizen
31-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Weather warning: Damaging winds ahead for KZN coast
Strong, damaging winds are expected to hit parts of KZN from this (Thursday) evening into tomorrow (Friday). The level 2 warning for damaging winds has been issued by the SA Weather Service. ALSO READ: WATCH: Successful rescue of distressed sailing yacht near Richards Bay 'A passage of a cold front results in strong southerly to south-westerly winds along the coast on Friday, with average speeds of 25 to 35 knots, gusting 35 to 40 knots. The impact will be hard felt between Port Edward and Mtunzini later [Thursday] evening, spreading to Kosi Bay by Friday. Potential impacts • Difficulty in navigation of vessels at sea • Small vessels at high risk of taking on water and capsizing within locality • Beachgoers are urged to heed the warning as beachfront activities could pose a danger Weather outlook for Friday & Saturday, 01 – 02 August 2025. Partly cloudy conditions are expected over the eastern parts of the country, with isolated showers. Otherwise, fine & cold to cool, but it will be warm in places in the north.#saws #weatheroutlook #southaricanweather — SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) July 30, 2025 Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Winter magic on the horizon: West Rand braces for icy blast and possible snowfall
Winter magic on the horizon: West Rand braces for icy blast and possible snowfall The West Rand could once again be transformed into a winter wonderland this week, as a powerful cut-off low-pressure system prepares to sweep across South Africa, bringing with it the promise of snow, icy winds, and bone-chilling temperatures. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a nationwide alert, warning that a dramatic shift in weather is imminent. 'By Monday and Tuesday, this extensive and severe winter weather system will have shifted further east over South Africa, affecting the central and eastern provinces,' SAWS reported. ALSO READ: Severe weather system to sweep across SA from this weekend As dawn broke over the West Rand on Monday morning, 9 June, residents were greeted by overcast skies and scattered light rain – a subtle but unmistakable sign that winter has arrived in full force. And if forecasts prove true, the coming days could see snowflakes fluttering across the highveld once more. The last time snow graced the West Rand was in July 2023, when families bundled up to play in the frosty streets. Children built snowmen, neighbours snapped selfies, and laughter echoed through ice-dusted suburbs – it was a day to remember. Also read: This time around, snow is expected in nearly every province except Limpopo, with the potential to disrupt travel along key routes like the N3 at Van Reenen's Pass. Inland areas will also face strong, potentially damaging winds from Sunday, raising the risk of runaway veld fires just ahead of the cold front. ALSO READ: Avoid the dangers of hot weather Daytime temperatures across most regions are set to plummet below 10°C, with biting wind chill making conditions feel even colder. Small stock farmers are urged to take precautions to shield animals from exposure, particularly in the face of gale-force winds and icy rain. The stormy weather is expected to continue along the southern and eastern coastline through to at least Tuesday, blanketing regions in cold, wet, and windy conditions. Whether you're hoping for a snow day or planning to stay bundled indoors, this could be another season-defining moment for the West Rand. Keep an eye on the skies – and an extra jersey close at hand. For live weather updates and official alerts, follow SAWS on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service), or visit At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- 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
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Colder weather expected next week
South Africans can brace themselves for cold weather conditions in the new week as two cold frontal systems are expected to develop from Monday until Friday. According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the two cold frontal systems are expected to develop from 19 until May 23 with a high likelihood of disrupting the current mild to warm weather conditions that has been prevailing for some days. 'On Monday, May 19, a cold front will make landfall over the south-western parts of the country, resulting in wet, cold, and windy conditions over the western parts of the Western Cape. While this system will not be intense, it serves as a precursor to the more significant weather system that will follow the next day. 'On Tuesday, May 20, the above-mentioned weather conditions will spread to the east, affecting the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape,' the weather service said. This continued impact of the weather conditions will be due to a well-developed cold front, resulting in isolated to scattered showers and rain. Rainfall accumulations are expected to range between 15 to 25 mm, with a possibility of reaching 30 to 50 mm in mountainous areas. 'The persistent and continuous rainy conditions may lead to localised floods, particularly in areas with poor drainage and low-lying regions. Strong and gusty westerly to north-westerly winds, with wind speeds averaging between 55 and 65 km/h, are expected across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and the Eastern Cape more especially over the interior. 'Possible impacts might result in outdoor activities being disrupted with a high likelihood of localised damage to infrastructure, uprooted trees, increased traveling time on the roads, problems for high sided vehicles, especially along the national routes through the provinces as well as disruptions to power lines,' SAWS said. For maritime operators and coastal residents, westerly to north-westerly gale-force winds (65-75 km/h) are expected along the coastline, particularly from Alexander Bay through to Plettenberg Bay. These high winds will result in very rough seas on Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to sea conditions that could impact small vessels and coastal activities. There is also a possibility of abnormal waves along the south-eastern coast, with wave heights of 5 metres to 6.5 metres, occasionally peaking at 7 metres, with a 10 seconds wave period on Wednesday. 'In addition, freezing levels are expected to drop considerably, creating conditions favourable for some snowfall over high-lying areas and a general drop in temperatures. These very cold conditions are expected to spread to the central and the eastern parts of the country from Tuesday late evening, persisting until Friday morning, 23 May 2025,' SAWS said. The weather service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the weather systems and will issue subsequent updates as required. 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!
