Severe weather warning: Strong winds, high waves, heavy rainfall and snow predicted

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a warning to all boaters, bathers, beach-goers, sailors and shore anglers to be cautious around the coastline this weekend.

According to an article published by Zululand Observer, the new moon spring tide is set to peak overnight tonight, producing higher-than-normal high tides and lower-than-normal low tides.

“The concern is that during this, the final weekend of school holidays, the coastline will be experiencing the new moon spring tide during a time when sea conditions are naturally rougher than normal because of winter storms and cold fronts passing over parts of the coastline and deep sea, and where rip currents may be stronger than normal around the coastline,” says NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

“The effect that spring tides have on the coast, causing the two daily high tides to be higher than normal and the two daily low tides to be lower than normal, will be strongest today and over this weekend, gradually declining in intensity towards the middle of next week.

“Spring tides pose a potential hazard to bathers around the coastline at all times, but [are] especially noticeable during the outgoing tide.

“We urgently appeal to coastal water users to be cautious during this new moon spring tide phase and the effect [it] has around the coast over this weekend. Be aware of coastal hiking trails that could be cut off during high tide.

“Anglers fishing along the shoreline are urged to keep a safe distance from the shoreline. Be aware of adverse weather, strong winds, fast-flowing rivers, and sea currents and drifts.”

Damaging waves and winds

According to the South African Weather Service, damaging winds and waves are expected along the south-east coast, with a Level 4 warning issued for the Eastern Cape coastline.

Mostly fine conditions expected ahead of an intense cold front, expected to make landfall early Sunday morning. Damaging winds and waves expected along the south-east coast, with a Level 4 warning issued for the Eastern Cape coastline. pic.twitter.com/KNS8Lwm5iL

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) July 5, 2024

A cold snap is also expected to affect the country from Sunday to Tuesday, as a series of cold fronts impact the Cape.

“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 well-being of their animals,” SAWS said in a media statement today.

Latest media release regarding the series of cold fronts expected to influence the country this coming week:
Cold snap to affect South Africa from Sunday until Tuesday as a series of cold fronts impact the Cape provinces from Sunday onwards.https://t.co/6NRkm3mN1Q pic.twitter.com/X47LsTBvGg

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) July 5, 2024

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 20mm to 50mm are likely, mountainous regions over the western parts of the Western Cape may see higher amounts of 70mm to 100mm.

“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 15cm 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 (30km/h 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 6m 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.

“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,” says SAWS.