Rains, strong winds and even snow forecast
AN INTENSE low-pressure system is expected to herald widespread showers and thundershowers across the country. The weather is expected to continue through to next week.
The South African Weather Service (Saws) said the weather system, also known as a cut-off low, is notorious for causing flooding, damaging winds, severe thunderstorms and even snow.
The intense cut-off low developed along the west coast of the country yesterday afternoon.
“It will then move over the Northern Cape today, reach the interior of the Western Cape tomorrow, and exit along the southern coast of the Western Cape on Tuesday.
“Widespread showers and thundershowers are expected to develop over much of the country during Saturday and will continue until at least Tuesday. Thereafter calm and clear weather conditions will return to many areas,” the weather service said.
According to the forecaster, persistent showers and thundershowers may lead to flooding over the central and eastern parts of the country, particularly from today through until tomorrow, while severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and large amounts of small hail are possible over the western interior.
“There is also an indication of heavy rainfall over parts of the Overberg and south-west coast of the Western Cape on Monday into Tuesday, as the cut-off low exits along the southern coast of the Western Cape.
“The Cape south-west coast may also experience a strong to gale force south-easterly wind, which could affect coastal marine routines and operations.”
Cool to cold maximum temperatures are also expected across parts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-natal.
Day-time temperatures are expected to be in the high teens and low 20s across most parts and will even drop to the low teens over the high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape and KZN.
However, Saws warned that there remains uncertainty among numeric weather prediction models regarding the intensity and future movement of the system.
“This uncertainty could lead to changes in rainfall amounts and distribution. We will therefore provide regular updates to the public and disaster management on expected weather conditions and potential impact-based warnings.
“It is strongly advised that the public take necessary precautions early next week. This includes avoiding crossing flooded roads, bridges and swollen streams,” Saws said.
Various provincial disaster management teams will be on standby to assist stranded communities.
Municipalities in KZN that are likely to be affected include Abaqulusi, Alfred Duma – Ladysmith, Dannhauser, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma – Underberg, edumbe, emadlangeni, Endumeni, ethekwini Metro, Greater Kokstad, Impendle, Ingwe, Inkosi Langalibalele – Estcourt, Kwadukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo, Mkhambathini, Mpofana – Mooi River, Msinga, Ndwedwe, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nongoma, Nquthu, Okhahlamba, Ray Nkonyeni, Richmond, Umdoni, Umshwathi, Umzimkhulu, Umsunduzi – Pietermaritzburg, Umvoti, Umngeni and Umzumbe Local Municipalities.
The Kwazulu-natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi said disaster teams were on high alert.
“We advise communities to seek shelter in safe places. Public facilities, such as community halls, are open as safe havens for those in need of shelter.
“Our teams may have to evacuate people should they foresee a high risk of danger due to inclement weather.
“Motorists are strongly advised to avoid travelling during this period as bridges may become flooded, posing a risk to life,” said Mngadi. |