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Coldest day of the year looms as cold fronts hit South Africa

Lowvelders can brace themselves as colder temperatures are predicted across the country on Monday.

July 5, 2024
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Photo: Lowvelder/CANVA

According to the SAWS, several cold fronts are expected to reach South Africa’s shores during the coming week.

“The first weather system of the series is an intense cold front that is expected to affect the western and central parts of the country from Sunday July 7, and the eastern parts from Monday July 8. This system is expected to bring about widespread and disruptive snowfall over the southern and western high ground, accompanied by damaging winds over the interior as well as the coastline, high seas along the coastal areas and very cold conditions over a significant part of the country.

“Heavy rainfall is also expected over the western parts of the Western Cape, where flooding is likely. The public and small-stock farmers are advised to take the necessary precautions ahead of the expected adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their animals,” the SAWS said in a statement.

Widespread rainfall can be expected over parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces from Sunday, with heavy rain leading to possible flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape. While widespread amounts of 20 to 50mm are likely, mountainous regions over the western parts of the Western Cape may see higher amounts of 70 to 100mm.

The SAWS also warned that widespread snowfall is expected.

“Widespread snowfall is expected to occur over the mountains of the Western Cape and the western and southern high ground of the Northern Cape from Sunday afternoon, but will spread to the Eastern Cape mountains in the evening. While light snowfall may even extend as far as Prieska in the Northern Cape and Bloemfontein in the Free State, heavier and more disruptive snowfall of 15 to 30cm that may lead to the closure of roads and mountain passes, as well as loss of vulnerable livestock, can be expected over the southern high-ground of the Northern Cape and the western high-ground of the Western Cape.”

Strong winds are not ruled out.

“Strong winds (30 to 50km/h) are expected over large parts of the country on Sunday, with damaging winds possible over parts of the Cape provinces and the central interior, including the Free State and North West. Very rough and high seas (with wave heights of 6 to 9m) are expected along the Western Cape and Northern Cape coast on Sunday, spreading to the coast of the Eastern Cape in the evening. This may result in damage to coastal infrastructure, disruptions to harbours and ports, danger to life, and pose a risk to medium to large vessels. The maritime community should exercise extreme caution during these conditions,” the SAWS said.

Cold temperatures can be expected over the western parts of the country from Sunday, with bitterly cold temperatures across many parts of South Africa on Monday. Maximum temperatures will not exceed 10°C in some areas, while daytime temperatures over the high ground are unlikely to exceed 4°C.

“The cold front will exit the country on Tuesday morning, July 9 , while another cold front will be approaching the Western Cape.’

The SAWS indicated that Tuesday morning will be the coldest morning of the year so far, with many localities over the interior of the country expected to drop well below freezing, with widespread morning frost anticipated. However, daytime temperatures are expected to recover quickly.

“In the week ahead, residents of the Western Cape are advised to remain vigilant, as further winter weather systems can be expected to affect this region,” SAWS said.

July 5, 2024
Content Supplied 2 minutes read
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