SA National Severe Weather Observations: 24 July 2014 04h00 SAST - MSBWX

1.  Cold Fronts and sharp upper air trough observed: A fairly intense and well developed cold front is approaching the Western Cape and is expected to make landfall later today. The following warnings has been issued by the SAWS:

•  A gale force NW wind 35kt is expected in places between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) moderating early Friday morning.
• Heavy rain is expected at times mainly near the mountains of the southern parts of the WestCoast District, Cape Metropole, western parts of the Cape Winelands and Overberg district tomorrow night (Thursday) persisting through to Saturday morning.
•  Localized urban flooding is expected in the southern parts of the West Coast District, Cape Metropole, western parts of the Cape Winelands and Overberg district tomorrow night (Thursday) persisting through Saturday.
• Extremely high fire danger conditions can be expected in places over the Breede River Valley, Central and Little Karoo tomorrow (Thursday).

2.  Increase in Fires detected in the past 24 Hours:  There is a sharp rise in the amount of fires detected in the past 24 hours in the the country.  232 fires were detected over the past 24 hours in South Africa against the 99 detected the previous day.  This total is expected to increase sharply today with dangerous to very dangerous  fire danger conditions expected in areas of  South Africa.  Please refrain from making open fires.

A full overview of the approaching weather system will be published later this morning on this site.

- MSBWX + SAWXREP