Cape braces for wind, rain and snow

CAPE Town City disaster management services have been put on alert as strong winds and heavy rains are expected today.

“Flooding is expected in places in the Cape Metropole, Overberg, and western parts of the Cape Winelands. High seas with wave heights from 6m to 9m are expected between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay,” city disaster risk management spokeswoman Charlotte Powell said.

The Overberg and the Cape Winelands region can expect 50mm of rain today while there is a possibility of light snow on the Swartberg Mountains this weekend.

Powell said all city services and external agencies were standing by to provide disaster relief and deal with consequences arising from the approaching cold front.

“Heavy rainfall can be expected over the south-western parts of the Western Cape, mainly over the mountainous areas.

“Strong westerly to north-westerly winds are expected along the south and south-west coastal areas as well as in places over the interior. Winds may reach gale force between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay.”

Powell said SA Weather had warned that a galeforce north-westerly wind (65km/h-75km/h) was expected between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas.

“We urge members of the public, and especially motorists, to take care. Keep a safe following distance as visibility is low,” she said.

According to the Snow Report SA Facebook page, snowfalls would be over the mountains of the Eastern Cape and over Lesotho and the Drakensberg.