Cold, wet weekend forecast for start of winter

The SA Weather Service (SAWS) has forecast cold, wet and windy conditions across large parts of the country this weekend and into early next week.

This is after a relatively dry and warmer-than-usual month of May.

Acting senior manager disaster risk reduction at the SAWS, Vanetia Phakula said South Africans can expect the first significant drop in daytime temperatures over the coming days, with showers and thundershowers possible across most parts of the country, with even a chance of snow over elevated areas.

“This is a result of a developing cut-off low pressure system over the western and southern parts of the country from Sunday into Monday. Cut-off low pressure systems are commonly associated with widespread rainfall, snowfall, strong to gale-force winds, and rough sea conditions in winter”, said Phakula.

Phakula further predicted that the showers and rain would develop along the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape later today (Friday) and extend over much of the province from tomorrow.

“Heavy 24-hour rainfall, with accumulations of 50 to 100mm is possible, particularly in places along the coastal belt where there will also be strong to gale-force winds and very rough sea conditions with wave heights of 5 to 6 meters. Wave heights of 7 to 8 meters are likely offshore.

“Strong winds and rough seas are also expected to spread along the south coast of the Western Cape from Saturday afternoon. Marine operations and users, including large and small vessels at sea and beachgoers, should take note of the anticipated deteriorating weather and sea conditions,” she added.

Moreover, Phakula indicated that by Sunday, as the cut-off low moves over the country from the west, this will result in cold temperatures and widespread thundershowers across the western, central and southern parts, then spreading to the eastern parts later in the day.

“Some of these storms may develop to become severe in places over the central and eastern interior, resulting in large amounts of small hail and strong damaging winds. Rainfall is expected to continue Monday over the eastern and southern parts of the country,” said Phakula.

This particular weather system is in the early stages of development and forecasts might change during the weekend.

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