The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of weather warnings due to low pressure affecting several provinces. These warnings include forecasts for heavy rain, flooding, and snow.
Disaster Warnings
SAWS has declared a Level 6 warning for destructive rainfall that could lead to the inundation of roads, bridges, and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure and property along the coast and adjacent inland areas between East London in the Eastern Cape and Cape Vidal in KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, an Orange Level 5 warning has been issued for destructive snowfall in the extreme northeastern highlands of the Eastern Cape, which may cause transport disruptions, failures in essential services, and temporary isolation of some communities.
A Yellow Level 2 warning is also in effect for destructive snowfall in the northeastern highlands of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg region in KwaZulu-Natal. An additional Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive rainfall covers the southeastern parts of the Eastern Cape and eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, excluding the far northeast of the province, where localized flooding of roads, bridges, and settlements, as well as infrastructure damage, is possible.
Cold Weather Forecast
The weather service reported that from Wednesday evening, very cold and humid conditions are expected in parts of the Eastern Cape, southern KwaZulu-Natal, southern Free State, and border areas with Lesotho. Light snow is forecast in these regions as the low pressure system moves in, with weather expected to improve from the west by Thursday.
Farmers have been advised to take preventive measures to minimize potential damage from adverse weather conditions. Other areas are expected to see variable cloudiness and cool or cold weather with isolated showers and rain in Gauteng. Mist is expected along the escarpment in Mpumalanga and Limpopo with cool conditions and scattered showers.
Free State is forecast to be cold with isolated or scattered rain and thunderstorms, with possible light snow along the border with Lesotho. The Northern Cape will be cold or cool, with very cold conditions in the southern sections and isolated or scattered rain in the southeast; light snow is also possible in the far southeast of the province.
The Western Cape is expected to have good or variable cloudiness and cool or warm weather, although some areas of the Central Karoo will be cold. Overall, the Eastern Cape is expected to have cloudy, cold, or very cold conditions, with widespread rain in the eastern half and snowfall in the mountainous areas. KwaZulu-Natal will remain cloudy and cold or cool with scattered rain and showers, and only isolated precipitation is expected in the far northeast.
SAWS also specified that there are currently no fire danger warnings in effect.
