Major drop in temperature and rain for Polokwane next week

POLOKWANE – Highs of 13ºc and 14ºC are expected in Polokwane from Monday.

Yes, you read that correctly.

According to an early weather alert by popular TikTok account, @vox_weather_girls, heatwave conditions will be followed by a steep drop in temperature from Monday onward due to a cut-off low system.

A cut-off low can bring about several different adverse phenomena including strong winds, heavy downfalls of rain or snow and storms. This happens when an area of low pressure in the atmosphere separated or cut off from the main atmospheric circulation.

“Lots of rain is expected across South Africa in the next few days. By Sunday, a cut off low weather system will strengthen over the interior of South Africa that will bring lots of rain and possibly heavy downpours to the central and north eastern parts of the country,” meteorologist Annette Botha says.

She added that it is an advanced forecast and rainfall amounts could decrease or increase as the system develops. One thing is for sure, it is going to be cold,” she said.

Looking at AccuWeather’s forecast, maximum temperatures will begin to cool on Sunday with a high of 22ºC before a steep drop to between 13ºC and 23ºC on Monday and Wednesday.

Sunday will be breezy with on-and-off rain and drizzle with an 84% chance of rain while Monday will be breezy in the morning with a couple of showers followed by occasional rain and drizzle in the afternoon. There is an 84% chance of rain on Monday.

Majority of the rain is expected on Tuesday with a 93% chance of rain expected.

According to AccuWeather, rain is expected mainly early in the day, while Wednesday will warm slightly to 23ºC with a couply of morning showers and low clouds.

The South African Weather Service is yet to issue a statement about the system but precaution should be taken as the amount of rain expected could pose a flood risk to certain areas.

Temperatures will improve from Thursday onward with mild conditions expected.