As several intense cold fronts sweep through the country, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has issued a warning of this weekend’s peaking spring tide that strengthens rip currents and poses the threat of flooding.
The institute said bathers, boaters, paddlers, sailors, shoreline anglers and coastal hikers among others should be cautious around the coastline.
The new moon spring tide started peaking in the early hours of Saturday, with its effect set to last into the coming week.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the institute had its eye on other contributing factors as well.
“It is the final weekend of the school holidays and sea conditions are already naturally rougher than normal because of winter storms and cold fronts passing over parts of the coastline and deep sea off the SA shore, resulting in rips being stronger than normal around the coastline.
“The effect of the two daily tides being higher than normal and lower than normal will be strongest today [Saturday] and over the remainder of this weekend, gradually declining in intensity towards the middle and end of next week.”
Lambinon said people should be particularly aware of potential hazards during the outgoing tide and be mindful that cold fronts causing heavy rain and rough sea conditions are forecast for this weekend and into next week.
“We are appealing to the public to follow the South African Weather Service [SAWS] daily forecasts and around the coastline be aware of the daily tide time tables,” the NSRI spokesperson urged.
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According to the SAWS, damaging winds and waves are expected along the south-east coast, with a Level 4 warning issued for the Eastern Cape coastline.
The SAWS has issued several severe weather warnings for the weekend. These include:
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