The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a number of weather warnings for different regions in the country.
Rare sight of snowfall stuns SA
Leading up to the winter solstice, which falls on Monday 21 June, South Africa experienced a bout of cold weather that’s rarely been felt before.
Temperatures were so low, parts of KwaZulu-Natal were covered in snow, a rare sight for a country renowned for its tropical conditions.
According to SAWS, however, this is the result of “the development of a cut-off low-pressure system over the south-eastern parts of the country.”
“The cut-off low-pressure system will be responsible for the majority of adverse weather expected over the next three days,” SAWS’ Hannelee Doubell said in a statement.
First snow at home, KZN – NTU. pic.twitter.com/909GqA0WcD
— Philisiwe SIBIYA (@Phili_Sibiya) June 1, 2021
South Africa weather warnings for Thursday 3 June 2021
On Thursday, the weather service issued these warnings for regions in the Eastern Cape and KZN that are expected to reach significant-to-severe conditions on Thursday 3 June 2021.
Springbok
Headline: Veld Fire Conditions
Warning Level: Level 10
Fires may develop and spread rapidly resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.
Barkly East, Lady Frere
Headline: Disruptive Snow
Warning Level: Level 2
The accumulation of snow might result in isolated loss of vulnerable livestock and non-major passes can be closed
Cofimvaba, Butterworth, Ngcobo, Tsolo, Maclear, Mount, Ayliff, Matatiele
Headline: Disruptive Rain
Warning Level: Level 2
The significant rain will result in localized flooding of roads and settlements, possible damage to roads and bridges also danger to life. This will also cause be damage to property, infrastructure and loss of livelihood.
Mthatha, Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Lusikisiki, Paddock
Headline: Disruptive Rain
Warning Level: Level 6
Heavy rains will result in flooding of roads and settlements, damage to roads and bridges, damage to property and infrastructure, loss of livelihood and livestock. Some communities could be temporarily inaccessible. Major disruption of traffic flow can be expected due to major roads being flooded.
Umdoni, King Shaka, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Eshowe, Richards Bay
Headline: Disruptive Rain
Warning Level: Level 6
Disruptive rainfall is expected to result in flooding of roads and settlements (Formal and informal), Danger to life (fast flowing streams/deep waters), Major Disruption of traffic flow due to major roads being flooded (N2) and possible damage to roads and bridges, and Disruption to essential services (Water, electricity, communication, schools, etc)