Approaching Cold Fronts: Western-, Northern-, Eastern-, and Southern Cape 20 - 23 August 2014

Predictions charts reflect  a series of cold fronts likely to impact the Western- ,  Northern-, Southern-  and Eastern Cape during the forecast period.  The first cold front is expected to make landfall later today (20 August 2014) followed by the other fronts.

No warnings were issued by the SAWS as yet.

What can we expect from these cold fronts:

1.  Always the possibility of Severe Weather
2.  Light to moderate rain
3.  Strong to near gale force winds
4.  Cold weather conditions
5.  Light snowfalls over the high mountains
6.  Veld fires
7.  Wave Heights
8.  Possible storm damage

Severe Weather

This is a moderate intense weather system. However one can never rule out the possibility of  the approaching cold fronts turning into severe weather.  The public are advised that the above conditions (1- 8)  can be expected and the necessary precautionary measures need to be taken by the public to minimize the impact of the storm and the subsidiary events.

Light to Moderate rain 

Light to moderate  rain (1 - 12 mm ) is expected in areas of the Western Cape, West Coast, Southern and Eastern Cape coastal belt.  Prefrontal rain and thundershowers is expected to fall in parts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal, Northern Cape, Lesotho, Free State and North West.

Strong to near gale force winds

Strong  (45 - 50 km/h) gusty North Westerly to Westerly winds can be expected along the West Coast, Western-, Southern and Eastern Cape coastline. Strong to Near Gale Force (35 - 80 km/h) gusty winds can also be expected over parts of the interior.

Cold conditions

Cold conditions is expected behind the cold front as cold air is  moving in over the Western-, Southern-, and Northern Cape.  Temperatures are expected to drop as the freezing levels lower.

Snowfall

Snow is expected over parts of the Northern-  and possibly the Western Cape mountains. 

With enough moisture and dropping freezing levels light snowfalls are expected over parts of the mountains in the Northern and possibly the Western Cape.

Raging Veld Fires

Poor to bad visibility can be expected as the risk for run-away veld fires increased in the last couple of days
  231 fires were detected over the past 24 hours in South Africa.  This figure is expected to increase as strong to gale force winds precedes the cold front.  Please contact your nearest fire fighting unit, Working on Fire or Local Fire Fighting Service when fires are observed.  The earlier a fire is detected to better the chances of extinguishing the fire.

Wave Heights

With all the above "ingredients" the sea is surely to be churned up a bit.  Wave heights of between 3 - 4 meters are expected along the coastal areas of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Southern Cape and  Eastern Cape

Storm Damage

Storm damage might result due to the cold front.  If  you observe any storm damage in your area, please forward details, images and description to  @SAWXREP  We need to keep the public informed at all times.

Finally:  As always do not underestimate any weather system.  MSBWX will monitor these cold fronts closely and will bring you updates as this system moves across the country. 

SAWXREP need your real time weather observations i.o.w. if you observe heavy rain, flooding, strong wind, rough seas, storm damage etc. Please inform the SAWXREP so that we in turn can keep the public informed. Tweet us at @SAWXREP or post on our Facebook timeline by clicking HERE. Do not assume that SAWXREP knows for certain that severe weather has occurred. Help us to spread the word about severe weather and NEVER assume that your weather observation report is not important.  SAWXREP would like to hear from you.

Images: Eumetsat, NCEP, Weather Forecast.com, Snow Forecast.com, Windguru and NASA (Click on images for larger view.)


- MSBWX + SAWXREP