Latest news with #SouthAfricanWeatherServices
The Citizen
a day ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Snow, disruptive rain and severe thunderstorm to sweep across SA
The South African Weather Services (Saws) has issued two orange and six yellow level warnings for several parts of the country. There was snowfall across several parts as a powerful winter storm moved across the country. Picture: Supplied South Africans will experience wintry conditions with a cold, wet, and windy start to the week in the country, including snow as a strong cut-off low sweeps across the country, with a high-pressure system ridging in behind a cold front. The South African Weather Services (Saws) has issued two orange and six yellow level warnings for several parts of the country with warnings of very cold, wet and windy conditions including snow for several parts of the country. Snow Localised flooding, road closures and icy conditions are also expected in some areas. While snow was initially forecast for Gauteng, other parts of the country were not disappointed with snowfall across several other parts as a powerful winter storm moved across the country. The last time it snowed in Johannesburg, Gauteng was on the 10th of July 2023 when the South African Weather Service (Saws) confirmed that various parts of the province was covered in a white. ALSO READ: Winter wonderland: Snow expected in Gauteng next week Warnings Yellow Level 6 warning: Disruptive snow resulting in danger to life, pass closures and communities cut-off is expected over Joe Gqabi district municipality as well as Enoch Mgijima (Molteno) and Matatiele local municipalities in the Eastern Cape. Orange Level 6 Warning Disruptive rain leading to flooding of settlements/property, roads, danger to life, with some communities temporarily cut off, is expected in places over Amatholo and OR Tambo district municipalities, As Well As Buffalo City Metro in the Eastern Cape. Orange Level 5 Warning Disruptive rain leading to danger to life, flooding and displacements of settlements as well as mudslides is expected over Alfred Nzo district municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro of the Eastern Cape, including the following local municipalities: Makana, Ndlambe, Sundays River, Valley, Kouga and Koukamma. Yellow Level 2 Warning Disruptive snow leading to loss of livestock, minor passes closed and traffic disruptions due to snow and icy roads is expected over the Chris Hani district municipality of the Eastern Cape, as well as the following local municipalities: Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff- Reinet), Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlati and Umzimvubu. Yellow Level 2 Warning Disruptive Rain leading to localised flooding of settlements and roads is expected in places over Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani district municipalities of the Eastern Cape, as well as the following local municipalities: Blue Crane Route and Dr Beyers Naude. Yellow Level 2 Warning Damaging waves, leading to difficulty in navigation at sea, are expected between Saldanha Bay and Plettenberg Bay in the morning. Yellow Level 2 Warning: Severe thunderstorms leading to heavy downpours resulting in localised flooding, large amounts of small hail, and damaging winds, are expected over the southern and eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Advisory Saws also issued an advisory for a cut-off that is passing over the south-central parts and expected to result in snowfall over the high-lying areas, exiting the country through the south-east on Tuesday (10/06/2025). The weather services warned the public and small stock farmers of the occurrence of very cold, wet and windy conditions over the interior of the Western Cape, the southern parts of the Northern Cape, southern and eastern parts of Free State, the interior of the Eastern Cape, and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal, with the likelihood of very rough seas in places along the south coast. NOW READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA
The South African
2 days ago
- Climate
- The South African
When will the cold front land in Gauteng?
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) has issued a cold front warning for this weekend. Temperatures are expected to plummet in many parts of the country. Due to the intense cut-off low system, extreme weather conditions will affect many areas starting in the Western Cape from Saturday. 'By Monday, 9 June 2025 and Tuesday, 10 June 2025, 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. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly in the northern parts of the country by Monday. The weather service has warned of snowfall over almost every province, except for Limpopo. There is a risk of severe thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by damaging hail and winds in several provinces, including North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday and Tuesday. For Gauteng, Tuesday will be the coldest day of the year, with many regions reaching subzero temperatures in the morning. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said it will continue to monitor any further developments relating to the expected weather systems. The cold front is set to linger until Friday in most regions. 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
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The South African
Weather: Cold front to bring subzero temperatures and possible snow
South Africans are being advised to prepare for a powerful cold front expected to bring icy temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rainfall to various parts of the country on Wednesday. The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 4 warning for damaging winds, particularly along coastal regions. Snowfall is also anticipated in some high-lying areas, especially in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. In Gauteng, no rainfall is expected as the cold front arrives; however, residents should expect strong winds and chilly mornings. Cold front settles, residents urged to take precautionary measures to stay warm The forecast for Johannesburg predicts a minimum temperature of 2°C and a high of 13°C on Wednesday. In Pretoria, the minimum is expected to be 4°C, with a high of 15°C. Joburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has urged Johannesburg residents to take precautionary measures to stay warm during the cold front. 'Residents of the City of Johannesburg are urged to prepare for a weather shift as the South African Weather Services has issued a warning for extremely cold temperatures in most parts of the City of Johannesburg from this coming Wednesday towards the week,' he said as per The Citizen. 'This drop in temperatures means that residents throughout the City of Johannesburg will be forced to use all sorts of heating devices to try and warm themselves in the process, making themselves vulnerable to fire incidents at home if heating devices are used unsafely/unattended,' Mulaudzi said. The cold front is expected to persist until the weekend. Are you experiencing snow in your area? feel free to share photos 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.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
How to prepare for the cold front: South Africa braces for severe weather
Cold front alert: What South Africans need to know. A strong cold front is forecast to move across parts of South Africa from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures, heavy rain, and hazardous conditions. The South African Weather Services (Saws) warns that the severe weather, driven by a steep upper air trough and a strong ridging high-pressure system, may include strong winds, abnormal sea waves, and even rare snowfall in KZN's high-lying areas. As the country braces for a powerful cold front, it's essential to take early precautions to stay safe and minimise disruption. Cold fronts can bring sudden temperature drops, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and in some areas, even snow and rough seas. "Cold fronts of this nature can be particularly disruptive, especially when accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds," said Saws. "It is important that residents take warnings seriously and prepare accordingly."
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Severe weather ahead: Heavy rains, gale-force winds, icy cold and plenty of snow across SA
The full brunt of winter is expected to arrive tomorrow. See which areas and provinces will be most affected. Snow alert: Widespread snowfall is expected in four provinces this week. Picture: iiStock A severe cold front will sweep across the country from tomorrow (20 May), bringing snow and a chilly drop in temperatures in four provinces this week. The South African Weather Services (Saws) has issued a warning advisory of very cold weather conditions expected to continue into Wednesday this week. Severe cold front: Four SA provinces in the 'snow zone' The Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State and Lesotho are in the 'snow zone' with some areas expected to experience heavier snowfall than others. According to Vox Weather, the 'well-developed' cold front will bring heavy rain, snow over mountains and strong winds (up to 90km/h). 'A strong cold front is set to bring scattered to widespread showers and rain across the Western Cape and parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape from Tuesday into Wednesday,' the forecaster said. Expect freezing cold, wet conditions Rainfall totals of 20-30mm are expected in many areas, with 50-70mm likely over mountainous regions, such as the Cape Winelands, western Overberg, Cape Metropole and West Coast, increasing the risk of localised flooding. 'Freezing levels are expected to significantly drop with light snow possible late on Tuesday over the mountains of the Western Cape, the Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains in the Karoo, spreading to the northern high grounds of the Eastern Cape, southern Drakensberg (15cm +) and Lesotho (10cm +) overnight into Wednesday morning,' said Vox Weather meteorologist Michelle du Plessis. 'Weather models are currently showing only light snow likely at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape, but keep in mind that heavy rain is also expected in the Western Cape; therefore, snow might quickly melt,' Du Plessis warned. Brace for snow and icy cold: These areas will be affected According to Snow Report, the high peaks around regular snow areas such as Franschhoek, Paarl, Tulbagh, Worcester, De Doorns, Ceres, the Cederberg, the Koue Bokkeveld, Montagu, Robertson, Swellendam and the Swartberg range around Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and De Rust in the Western Cape, as well as Uniondale, are currently in the snow zone. Very cold conditions, heavy rainfall, snowfalls, strong to gale-force winds and very rough seas can be expected. In the Northern Cape the towns of Sutherland, Calvinia and Noupoort are on the snow radar. In the Eastern Cape the high ground around Graaff-Reinet, Nieu-Bethesda, Cradock, Hogsback, Queenstown, Molteno, Dordrecht, Lady Grey, Barkly East and Rhodes may get some snowfall. The forecaster's prediction for a possible dusting of snow in the Free State includes high-ground in areas such as Trompsburg, Zastron, Thaba Nchu, Ficksburg, Fouriesburg and Clarens. Yellow Level 2 warning: Strong to gale-force winds The SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for wind on Tuesday. 'A cold front is expected to result in strong to gale-force north-westerly to westerly winds over the interior of the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and Central Karoo of the Western Cape on Tuesday,' it said. This weather can lead to localised damage to formal and informal settlements. 'Expect longer travel times due to localised problems for high-sided vehicles, especially on the N1. 'Fallen trees may affect transport routes, properties and localised power and communication interruptions,' Saws added. Gauteng weather alert Meanwhile, emergency services in Tshwane and Johannesburg said they will be on high alert amid the incoming cold, wet weather. This as Gauteng Weather warned residents to brace for the province's first cold snap from Wednesday, with minimum temperatures plummeting to 2°C in Johannesburg and 4°C in Pretoria.
