The SA Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning for the Cape provinces as a powerful cold front is set to bring frisky conditions and snowfall in parts of South Africa this weekend, starting from Friday evening, 28 July 2023.
Weekend weather forecast starting Friday, 28 July 2023
This weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, very cold conditions, rough seas, snowfall, and strong to gale-force winds to various parts of the region.
The impact is likely to be severe, with potential flooding, disruptions to beachfront activities, and hazardous conditions for navigation at sea.
Friday Evening: Cold Front Approaches
As Friday evening approaches, a strong cold front is expected to hit the west coast of South Africa and Namibia.
This front will bring scattered to widespread showers and rain to the coastal areas of the Northern Cape and western parts of the Western Cape.
Inland areas will also experience windy conditions, particularly in the central and western interior.
Saturday: Cut-off Low Development
On Saturday, 29 July 2023, a cut-off low-pressure system, an extension of a deep low-pressure wave, is predicted to develop over the Western Cape.
It is likely to spread to the southwestern parts of the Eastern Cape during the afternoon. Cut-off lows are known for causing severe weather events, including flooding, gale-force winds, and snowfall.
The Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape can expect widespread rainfall, potentially leading to flooding, particularly in the Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands, Overberg, and Garden Route Districts.
The coastal areas along the west coast will experience very rough seas with wave heights between 4.0 and 6.0 meters, impacting beachfront activities and navigation for small to medium vessels.
Additionally, the south coast of the Western Cape will face high seas with wave heights between 6.0 to 7.0 meters, leading to possible beach erosion and risks for small to medium vessels.
Inland, snowfall is expected across the interior mountain ranges of the Western Cape, the northern and southern high ground of the Northern Cape, and the high ground of the Eastern Cape.
The interior of the Cape provinces will experience very cold conditions, with maximum temperatures between 5°C and 10°C on Saturday and Sunday.
As the cold front moves further inland, cold conditions will also spread to the central and eastern parts of the country on Sunday.
Weather Improvement on Sunday
The weather systems are expected to weaken on Sunday, 30 July 2023, as they exit over the southeastern parts of the country. Conditions will begin to improve from Sunday evening into Monday, 31 July 2023.
However, heavy ocean swell is anticipated to impact the southern and south-eastern coastline on Monday due to another cold front slipping along the southern coastal areas.
The South African Weather Service is closely monitoring this weather system and will provide updates to the public as needed. Residents in the Cape provinces and surrounding areas are advised to take necessary precautions, stay informed about weather advisories, and prepare for potentially adverse weather conditions over the weekend.