EC weather warning: Gale force winds, huge waves to lash coast

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a yellow level 4 weather warning for winds and waves along the coastline of the Eastern Cape for 5 June.

Eastern Cape update: Weather warnings

• Kou-Kamma, Kouga, Nelson Mandela Bay and Ndlambe municipalities: A yellow level 2 warning has also been issued for wind which could result in localised damage to infrastructure and temporary structures, as well as dangerous driving conditions.
• Yellow level 2 warning for winds and waves resulting in localised disruption of some harbours for a period of time, as well as the risk of taking on water and capsizing of small/medium vessels in a locality, expected between Algoa Bay and Coffee Bay.
• Very rough seas with wave heights of 4m to 5.5m are expected between Cape Agulhas and East London, subsiding from the west from the mid-afternoon, but ending around midnight between East London and Port St Johns.
• A south-westerly gale force wind of 35 knots is expected to the east of Storms River until sunset.
• High seas with wave heights from 6m to 9m are expected to the east of Storms River until late afternoon.

ALSO READ: Extreme weather warnings issued for parts of SA

What to expect

• The powerful waves are anticipated to cause disturbances in small harbours and/or ports, posing a risk to medium-sized vessels by potentially dragging their anchors.
• Beachfront activities are likely to be disrupted in general.
• The coast may experience higher water levels, particularly during high tides, which could extend the reach of the waves onto the shoreline.
• The combination of rough sea conditions and gusts of gale to strong gale force winds will impede progress and create navigation challenges.

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