The SAWS has not issued any warnings as yet.
What can we expect from these cold fronts:
1. Always the possibility of Severe Weather
2. Moderate to heavy rain
3. Strong to near gale force winds
4. Possible Flooding
5. Cold weather conditions
6. Snowfalls over the high mountains
7. Veld fires
8. Rough Seas
9. Possible storm damage
Severe Weather
The second front is a well developed and intense weather system that is expected to bring-forth severe weather during the prescribed period. The public are advised that the above conditions (1- 9) 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.
Moderate to Heavy rain
Moderate to heavy rain is expected in areas of the Western Cape. Heavy rain is expected in Cape Town and surrounding areas, Overberg, Cape Winelands and West Coast. Up to 50mm can be expected in these areas with moderate rain (1- 25mm) over other parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Southern- and Eastern Cape.
Strong to Gale Force Winds
Possible flooding
Localized flooding is expected in parts of the Cape Metropole, Overberg, Cape Winelands and West Coast. Flooding of roads and informal settlements is expected. Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions can be reported to the Cape Towns City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089. The local authorities of other regions should be contacted if assistance is needed. In the event of flooding do not try to cross flooded roads, ravines, rivers or streams. Turn around....do not drown!!
Very cold conditions
Very cold conditions (- to 0 Deg/C) is expected behind the cold front as cold air is moving in over the Western-, Southern-, Eastern and Northern Cape. Temperatures are expected to drop as the freezing levels lower to 1200 - 1500 meters. With enough moisture and dropping freezing levels snowfalls are expected over parts of the mountains in the Northern-, Western-, Eastern- and Southern Cape.
Snowfall
Snow is expected over parts of the Northern-, Southern-, Eastern - and Western Cape mountains.
Snow Forecast by Snow Report SA:
A cold weather system should hit the WC from late Tuesday, early Wednesday morning, with the expectation of snow-fall on Wednesday afternoon. The snow will continue in certain parts of WC (Ceres, Citrusdal, Stellenbosch, Montagu and Swellendam) throughout Thursday. Up to 10 cm or more is expected in certain mountain ranges of the WC, including Matroosberg.
The cold front will continue to move across the country into the Northern Cape on Wednesday night, Thursday morning and further across into areas such as Hogsback. We can expect snow-fall in the Eastern Cape on Thursday going into Friday morning. The snow should also extend right into Southern and Central Lestho during Thursday, moving all the way up to Northern Lesotho and the Sani Pass area later in the day and early hours of Friday morning. Snowfalls into the KZN Midlands seem unlikely at this point due to a lack of moisture.
Raging Veld Fires
457 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.
Rough seas
With all the above "ingredients" the sea is surely to be churned up. Rough seas with wave heights of between 4 - 6 meters are expected along the coastal areas of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Southern Cape and Eastern Cape
Storm Damage
Storm damage is expected as a result of this intense 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 this front 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, SAWS, NCEP, Weather Forecast.com, SnowForecast.com and CSIR - AFIS (Click on images for larger view.)
- MSBWX + SAWXREP
