COLD and rainy conditions have been predicted for the rest of the week.
This after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a weather warning for most parts of the country.
‘Rain and showers are expected over the south-western parts of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.
‘By Thursday, rainfall is expected to move eastwards, with the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal particularly well favoured to receive widespread rainfall.
‘These provinces may even experience heavy rainfall as well as localised flooding, especially along the coast and adjacent interior regions,’ read the statement issued by SAWS.
Meanwhile, forecaster at SAWS KZN, Stacey Colborne, told the ZO that the region can expect steady rainfall from tomorrow evening (Wednesday) that will carry on into Saturday.
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‘A 30% chance of rain has been predicted for tomorrow in the Zululand region.
‘The rain will most likely begin sometime in the evening, possibly 7 or 8pm.’
Colborne said minimum temperatures are expected to dip to a mild 14 degrees over the course of the next couple of days.
‘The main rainfall is predicted for Thursdays (60%), it likely to carry over from Wednesday evening and continue into Saturday morning.
‘Thursday will also bring south-easterly gale force winds and rough seas (4-6m waves) that will continue into Friday.
‘It should start clearing up by Saturday midday and one can expect fine to partly cloudy conditions on Sunday and Monday.
A number of surrounding areas such as Vryheid and Newcastle – as well as various other areas in the province – have been issued with Fire Danger Index warning (FDI) as dry and windy conditions could result in runaway fires.
These extreme weather conditions are due to the development of an intense trough (an extension of a low pressure) in the upper portions of the atmosphere, which is expected to move over the country on Wednesday. Thereafter, the trough is likely to intensify further, becoming a so-called cut-off low.
Community alert
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has issued a weather alert to communities regarding the development of an intense weather system that will result in extreme cold, snow and heavy rains following the SAWS weather warning.
‘We urge all KZN residents to be alert as many of our communities will be affected by the expected cold snap, including snowfall, and the reduced visibility on the roads.
‘We urge all those who are driving to take the necessary precautions and postpone all unnecessary journeys in poor weather conditions,’ said Dube-Ncube.
KZN Cogta also urged parents to be responsible and ensure their children travel to school along safe routes and do not cross low-lying areas which are susceptible to flooding.
The department likewise urged schools to take note of the weather warning in their planning of excursions and other outdoor activities.
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