Some respite from the bitter cold

Only a slight improvement in temperatures is expected this week in most parts of the country, according to the South African Weather Service.

This signals a transitional period from autumn into winter, the service added yesterday.

This past weekend, many parts of the country were gripped by cold conditions, with maximum temperatures in Gauteng only peaking at highs of between 10 and 11oC, coupled with heavy downpours.

Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, forecaster Kgolofelo Mahlangu said although no rainfall was forecast for Gauteng today, showers were expected, mainly in the eastern parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Mpumalanga.

With regards to the expected temperatures in Gauteng, Vereeniging was expected to drop to minimums of 3oC before peaking to highs of 20oC.

People in Joburg could still expect a cold start to today, with a minimum of 8oC and highs of 19oC.

In Pretoria, residents could expect minimum temperature of 9oC while the maximums were expected to reach 21oC.

Asked if there was another cold front on the way, Mahlangu said the next one was expected to arrive tomorrow in the southwestern parts of the country, affecting the Western Cape and the Northern Cape.

“The coming cold front will not be as bad as the one we experienced this past weekend. But, having said that, it is still important to mention that the temperatures will not improve significantly as we are now fast approaching winter, which will officially kick in from the end of this month,” Mahlangu added.

The seasonal forecast suggested a mild winter with above-normal temperatures.