Western Cape braces for flooding as severe storms spread towards Gauteng

South Africans are being warned to prepare for a major change in weather this week, with disruptive rainfall, damaging winds, severe thunderstorms and even possible snowfall forecast as a cut-off low moves across the country.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says the system is expected to develop over the western interior on Thursday, 3 September, before moving eastwards during the weekend.

Parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape will be affected first, with cold, wet and windy conditions expected from Thursday into Friday.

Maximum temperatures over some high-lying areas may remain below 10°C.

Level 4 warnings for Western Cape and Northern Cape

SAWS has issued several Yellow Level 4 warnings for Thursday and Friday.

Disruptive rainfall is expected over the Overberg and Garden Route districts of the Western Cape on Thursday.

The rainfall could result in flooding of roads and settlements and major disruption to traffic.

A Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds has also been issued for the Namakwa district in the Northern Cape, parts of the Cape Winelands and Central Karoo districts, and the Little Karoo municipality in the Western Cape.

These conditions are expected from Thursday afternoon into Friday.

According to SAWS, the winds could damage temporary structures and settlements, affect transport routes and travel services, and create a risk of injury from flying debris.

Gale-force winds and waves up to 5.5 metres

Conditions along parts of the coastline are also expected to deteriorate.

Gale-force winds are possible along the south-western and southern coastal areas, while damaging waves could reach approximately 4.5 to 5.5 metres in places.

A Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds and waves has been issued between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay from Thursday into Friday.

The conditions could disrupt ports and harbours and pose a danger to navigation at sea.

Severe thunderstorms possible in Gauteng, Free State and North West

As the cut-off low moves eastwards over the weekend, temperatures are expected to drop across parts of the central and eastern interior.

Scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers, along with windy conditions, are expected over parts of the Free State, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as eastern parts of the North West.

These conditions are expected from Friday into Sunday.

There is also a signal for severe thunderstorms over parts of the Free State, North West and Gauteng from Friday afternoon into Saturday evening.

Where severe thunderstorms develop, they may bring:

• Heavy downpours and localised flooding
• Strong and potentially damaging winds
• Excessive lightning
• Possible hail

The risk is then expected to shift eastwards from Sunday morning, affecting parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, with the possibility of extending into southern Limpopo.

SAWS stressed that the exact location and intensity of the thunderstorms will depend on how the atmospheric system develops.

Snow possible over the Drakensberg

The changing weather could also bring snowfall to some of the country’s high-lying areas.

Snow is possible over the Drakensberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape on Friday morning before extending into the high-lying areas of Lesotho.

Motorists travelling through mountainous areas and high-lying passes have been urged to remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.

Reduced visibility, cold temperatures and possible snowfall could result in hazardous driving conditions.

Spring brings rapidly changing weather

The system arrives as South Africa enters meteorological spring, which officially began on 1 September.

SAWS says spring marks an important transition in the country’s seasonal weather patterns as winter circulation begins to weaken and warmer conditions gradually become established.

It is also a period when cut-off low-pressure systems can occur more frequently, bringing widespread rainfall, cold temperatures, strong winds and severe thunderstorms.

SAWS urges public and farmers to prepare

SAWS has advised the public and small-stock farmers to take precautions as the weather system moves across the country.

People should avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and streams and remain cautious during heavy rainfall, particularly in flood-prone areas.

Loose outdoor objects should be secured ahead of strong winds, while people should avoid sheltering under isolated trees or near metal structures during thunderstorms.

Those near the coast should exercise caution where strong winds and high waves are forecast.

People should also dress appropriately for the colder conditions and protect vulnerable individuals from exposure.

Small-stock farmers are advised to ensure livestock has adequate shelter in areas expecting very cold, wet and windy weather.

Motorists travelling through mountainous and high-lying areas should remain alert for possible snowfall and rapidly changing road conditions.

SAWS will continue monitoring the system and issue further warnings as it develops.

The public has been urged to follow official forecasts and warnings and avoid distributing information from unauthorised or unverified sources.

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