Warning Issued for Destructive Winds in Parts of South Africa Amid Cold Weather

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 1 warning for the Eastern Cape region for Wednesday.

Strong winds and rough seas are expected along some parts of the Eastern Cape coast on Wednesday. The Weather Service forecasts variable cloudiness in the western part of the country. Central and eastern areas are expected to have cloudy, windy, and cold or very cold weather with isolated rain and showers, while scattered precipitation is expected along the eastern coast and adjacent inland areas.

The Weather Service also reported that snowfall is still expected in mountainous regions.

The Yellow Level 1 warning was issued specifically for the Eastern Cape coast. The cause is a sharp pressure gradient between a cold front moving along the southern coast and a high-pressure ridge, which is causing strong easterly or northeasterly winds of at least 60 km/h.

The Weather Service noted that these winds could increase sea conditions to four to five meters between Plettenberg Bay and Port Alfred, with waves coming from an easterly or southeasterly direction.

The impact of strong winds may lead to disruptions in small harbors and/or ports, and may disrupt beach activities. Ships in the open sea may have difficulty navigating, and small vessels are at risk of sinking and capsizing within populated areas. Some vessels risk losing anchor.

Very cold and windy conditions are expected in the affected areas, with snowfall in mountainous regions and rough or very rough seas. Large parts of the Eastern Cape are preparing for destructive snowfall, dangerous winds, and heavy rains; severe weather is expected to cause disruptions to travel and service operations from Monday to Tuesday.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for destructive snow for the municipalities of Chris Hani, Senqu, eLundini, and Matatile. This warning is valid until Tuesday, August 11, and could potentially cause serious transport problems, affect livelihoods, and temporarily render some communities inaccessible.

Destructive Winds

A Yellow Level 4 warning for destructive wind and waves has also been issued along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Weather conditions may disrupt the operation of small harbors and ports, create dangerous navigation conditions, and affect coastal activities. Furthermore, infrastructure and settlements may sustain damage, and flying debris poses a risk of injury and death.

A separate Yellow Level 4 warning for strong winds covers the KZN coast and adjacent northeastern inland areas, where formal and informal settlements may be affected.

More Snow and Rain Expected

A Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive snow is in effect for some areas of the Eastern Cape, the eastern and southern parts of Free State along the Lesotho border, and the western part of KwaZulu-Natal. The snow may trigger localized transport difficulties, individual losses of livestock and crops, and service disruptions.

Affected Eastern Cape municipalities include Dr Beyers Naude, Blue Crane, Raymond Mkhala, Amalati, Intsika Yetu, Dr AB Zuma, Mkhontlo, and Mzimvubu. A Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive rain has also been issued for the municipalities of Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Ngqwa Hill, and Bizana in the Eastern Cape, as well as for the southernmost and westernmost parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The rains may lead to localized flooding in vulnerable settlements, roads, and bridges.

Heavy thunderstorms capable of causing localized damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property, and vehicles are expected over the southernmost areas of the Northwest, northeastern Free State, and southern Gauteng. Another Yellow Level 2 warning for strong winds has been issued for parts of the Joe Gqabi district in the Eastern Cape, central and eastern North Cape, Free State, and far western Northwest.

KZN Disaster Response Teams on High Alert

KwaZulu-Natal Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thulatishe Buthelezi, announced that provincial disaster response units have been placed on high alert following the severe weather warning. According to the notification, a cold front accompanied by isolated low pressure is expected in Free State, Western Cape, North Cape, Eastern Cape, southern Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and inland KwaZulu-Natal until Tuesday.

Very cold and windy conditions, snowfall in the mountains, and rough or very rough seas are forecast in the affected zones. The public and smallholder farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions. Residents in affected areas are advised to exercise caution, especially when traveling, while emergency operations centers will monitor conditions during the warning period. Authorities in KZN have urged residents to contact their local dispatch center or municipal disaster management center if immediate assistance is required.

The South African Weather Service has issued a forecast indicating mostly fine and cold to cool weather nationwide for Tuesday, though isolated showers and thundershowers are anticipated in sections of the Western and Northern Cape.

For the majority of South Africa, Tuesday is set to be another chilly winter day, characterized by largely clear and dry conditions across the entire country. Nevertheless, certain areas within the Western Cape and Northern Cape might experience isolated downpours and thunderstorms, with a 30% probability of rain forecasted for the north-western regions.

The South African Weather Service confirmed that no severe weather alerts have been issued for Tuesday; however, extremely high fire danger conditions are predicted for the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality in the Northern Cape and the Laingsburg Local Municipality in the Western Cape.

Погодные условия в Западном Кейпе

In the Western Cape, partly cloudy skies are expected, accompanied by morning fog patches along the west and south-west coasts. Cloud cover is projected to increase throughout the afternoon, leading to a 30% likelihood of isolated showers and thundershowers in the north-western parts of the province. Temperatures will stay cool, and north-westerly winds are expected to intensify along the west coast later in the day.

Прогноз для Северного Кейпа

Similarly, the Northern Cape is forecast to have a 30% chance of isolated showers and thundershowers in its western areas. Otherwise, the province will maintain fine and cool to warm weather, with morning fog expected near the coast.

Across other provinces, dry weather will dominate Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Free State. Frost is anticipated in parts of the Mpumalanga Highveld and escarpment, Gauteng, the Free State, and North West during the early morning hours before daytime temperatures rise.

The Eastern Cape is expected to remain free of rain, with fine weather forecasted for both its western and eastern sectors. Conditions there will vary from cool to warm, although some northern zones of the province will begin the day colder.

KwaZulu-Natal should anticipate fine and cool weather, which will transition to warm in the north-east. This province will remain dry, with fresh north-easterly winds developing along the coast during the afternoon, and a very high UVB sunburn index is expected.