Time to cosy up – it’s going to be cold, wet and windy

COLD and windy conditions are expected in the Western Cape as another cold front makes landfall today – a sign of winter tightening its grip over the province.

Although nothing quite as dramatic as Wednesday’s storm, which uprooted trees and damaged homes leading to loss of life, this weekend’s cold front will bring much-needed showers in parts.

However, gale force winds are expected for the Garden Route, which could fan raging fires in the Southern Cape town of Knysna.

The Cape Town weather office reported yesterday that a cold front was approaching from the west, and was expected to make landfall late this morning leading to showers and thundershowers for the eastern parts of the province.

Forecaster Thabisile Ntleko said good rainfall was expected in places over the west of between 10-25mm, while mountainous areas could receive 30-40mm. She warned of flooding. “We expect possible localised flooding for the Cape Metro and western areas of the Overberg.

“Expect a cold and rainy weekend, strong winds at times but not as strong as Wednesday. Dress warmly, drive safely on the roads and beware of pooling,” Ntleko said.

She said the weather office has issued a warning of extremely high fire danger conditions expected over the Karoo and the Eden District.

“Gale force northerly to north- westerly winds of 62-70km/h are expected over the southern interior of the Northern Cape as well as the Karoo areas and the Eden District from Saturday afternoon, subsiding in the evening,” she said.

Meanwhile, the executive director for Safety and Security in the City of Cape Town, Richard Bosman, said all city services and applicable external agencies would be on standby to deal with the consequences of any unfavourable weather this weekend.

Residents in informal settlements should raise the floor level of their dwelling to higher than the land outside, he advised.

PICTURE: PHANDO JIKELO Siqalo informal settlement near Mitchells Plain was flooded this week.