Real Time Weather Observation Photos: Mossel Bay 08h00 SAST

Images: Thunderstorms and lightning - Mossel Bay  (Low misty clouds on ground level with storm clouds above.) Click on images for larger view.

UPDATE 1: Upper Air Trough over parts of the Northern-, Southern- and Eastern Cape (11- 12 July 2014)

The upper air trough is currently situated over parts of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Free State as indicated by the latest satellite image.  Reports of building storm clouds were received via Facebook yesterday afternoon and thunder and lightning was observed in the Port Elizabeth area early this morning. 

Images: Christine Webber (Storm clouds yesterday in Port Alfred) Click on images for larger view.

There is still a 20% chance for thunderstorms in parts of the Eastern Cape and 10% chance for the Free State and Northern Cape today.  However we need to take note of the cloud cell currently just of Cape Point.  This is an intense cell and it looks to be moving in over the Overberg area ( Hermanus, Kleinmond, Gansbaai) and even Cape Point.  Keep a close watch on this cell as it might just bring a heavy downpour of rain to these areas.  The possibility of thunder and lightning cannot be ruled out. 

Images: Eumetsat, Wunderground and SAT24 (Click on images for larger view.)

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.

- MSBWX + SAWXREP 

Upper Air Trough over parts of the Northern-, Southern- and Eastern Cape (11 July 2014)

A upper air trough is currently situated over parts of the Northern-, Southern- and Eastern Cape areas.  Rain and thunderstorms are expected today in the area indicated on this mornings satellite image.

Images: Eumetsat + 1stweather (Click on images for larger view.)

REMEMBER:  WHEN THUNDER ROARS GO INDOORS!!

George: Lightning strikes hole in 1

Fancourt Golf General Manager Lloyd Martindale examines the strange burn patterns left on the estate's Outeniqua Course after a bolt of lightning struck and hit a pole on Monday. The flagpole, which was burnt to smithereens, has since been replaced.

GEORGE NEWS - The unusual weather and bizarre way in which a bolt of lightning struck a flagpole at Fancourt Golf Course on Monday night (19 May 2014) left Golf General Manager Lloyd Martindale shocked upon making the discovery.

"It missed the buildings, high trees and struck the flagpole on the Outeniqua Golf Course's first green. To my knowledge this is the first time this has happened - certainly since I have been here. The pole was charred and the flag shredded to smithereens. This goes to show that if you happen to be golfing when a storm comes up, you had better make your way back to the clubhouse as soon as possible," said Martindale.

When the lightning struck the carbon fibre pole, it deflected onto the green leaving an odd pattern.

A fortnight ago a Heather Park resident was amazed when lightning struck her roof, leaving a gaping hole.

The unusual weather patterns experienced with wind and heavy rain as well as hail - all occurring in one week - has left Georgians stupefied. A weather observer said he definitely noticed a change in the weather pattern as lightning was becoming more frequent.

The George Airport Weather Office measured 10,2mm rain on Monday and a total of 50mm for the month of May (up to Tuesday). The George Garden Route Dam has been overflowing for the past three weeks.

- George Herald

NOTE:  I have on numerous occasions warned the people against changing weather patterns and the increase in lightning activity in the Southern Cape.  In 2010 I requested the Premier of the Western Cape and the SA Weather Service to install a weather radar in the Southern Cape.  This was done but unfortunately the public now has to pay an absorbent subscription fee to access radar images.  Radar images are thus only for the rich and famous in this country while the poorest of the poor have to fend for themselves. Sad indeed but this is the current situation in this country.   The Southern Cape experience several direct lightning strikes the past few years which caused extensive damage to infrastructure and the death of  people, the latest a man that was killed in the Calitzdorp area while driving a tractor during a storm.  With the increase in thunderstorms and lightning in the Southern Cape it is imperative that the people living in this area  take note of the weather.  I once again ask members of the public to send in country wide weather observations reports to SAWXREP and MSBWX.  We need to keep people informed especially those who cannot afford the luxury of weather radar images.  Hopefully we can save lives by posting observation reports on Twitter and Facebook.

Here are the links were you can post real time weather observations:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MSBWX

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SAWXREP

Images and Report: Snow on the Drakensberg (20 - 21 May 2014)

Snow Report SA - We have had 2 reports of snow this morning. The first from Rene Allen that she can see light snow on the high peaks around Drakensberg Gardens. The second report from Brian from Sani Mountain Lodge at 07h40 reads "Light snow falling around the lodge at the moment, snow on Black Mountain". We will update with photos if we get any.

Afriski Mountain Resort has had a good dusting overnight. This is the view from their webcam this morning.

Thomas Reid sent in this beautiful photo (bottom) taken this morning. "Taken this morning from Thaba Thabo Nature Reserve between Ficksburg and Fouriesburg in the Eastern Free State." The snow can be clearly seen on the top of the mountains. 

The Terra Modis satellite image (0840Z on Wed 21st) clearly shows snow (blue-green in the false-colour image) 

 Images and Info: Afriski Webcam, Snowreport SA, Thomas Reid and NASA (Click on images for larger view.)

 

Update 1: Upper Air Trough expected to move in over parts of South Africa 19 - 21 May 2014

The current system intensified overnight with rain and thunderstorms reported from areas of the Northern-, Western-, Southern-, and Eastern Cape.  Further rain and thunderstorms is expected today in areas as reflected by the 1stweather prediction chart.  The SAWS also issued a weather advisory of possible severe thunderstorms over parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and North West. (See SAWS warnings lower down this page)

The current Wunderground satellite image reflect fairly intense thunderstorms  over parts of the interior (SW Free State + Eastern Cape) this morning. Reports of intense thunderstorms were received by MSBWX from Douglas, Oudtshoorn, George, Mossel Bay, Touwsrivier and Bathurst.  Take care out there and be safe.  Remember when lightning roars go indoors!!

Images: SAT24 , 1stweather and Wunderground (Click on images for larger view.)

- MSBWX