A significant weather system is set to impact large parts of South Africa this week, with meteorologists warning of potential disruptions to daily life and possible hazardous conditions in multiple provinces.
“She’s roaring towards the Western Cape,” warns meteorologists tracking the system. On the latest satellite images taken at 13:00 (Monday, 23 June), a large cold front can be seen approaching from the west. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued alerts for this intense cold front, which is accompanied by a steep upper air trough and expected to intensify as it approaches.
The cold front is predicted to make landfall in the southwestern Cape during Wednesday morning, 25 June, between 08:00 and 12:00, when the Cape of Storms will once again live up to its name.
The weather system is forecast to bring:
- Heavy rainfall: Precipitation of up to 50mm in places, potentially exceeding 70mm over the Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands, and the Overberg regions
- Flash flooding: Likely to cause havoc on roads and in low-lying areas
- Strong winds: Both interior winds and gale-force coastal winds
- Rough seas: Waves reaching 5 to 8 m in height
- Snowfall: Expected on higher elevations across multiple provinces
Authorities urge the public to be vigilant and take extra precaution as these conditions approach.
The cold front will first impact the Western and Northern Cape provinces from Wednesday until Friday (25-27 June). Maximum temperatures are expected to plummet below 10°C over high-lying areas, with heavy rainfall predominantly affecting western parts of the Western Cape.
There will be a high snowfall possibility on the western mountain ranges of the Western Cape.
Gale force winds and very rough seas, with wave heights of between 5,5 to 7,5 m, along the coastlines of the Northern Cape and Western Cape, will lead to disruptions to fishing and port operations, an increased risk of vessels capsizing, accidents at sea, and hazardous shoreline conditions. Coastal residents and beachgoers are urged to exercise caution.
As the system progresses eastwards, it will affect the Eastern Cape, a region already vulnerable to weather related impacts. The key concern is the strong damaging winds expected across most parts of the province on Thursday.
Authorities are urging the public and small stock farmers to prepare for very cold, wet, and windy conditions.
With the cold front coinciding with the start of school holidays, travelers are advised to monitor road conditions very carefully.
Emergency services have been placed on high alert to respond to weather-related incidents across the affected provinces.
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