A severe cold front is set to hit the Eastern and Western Cape between Thursday and Friday, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, snowfall, and rough seas, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned.
SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for strong winds across the interior and a more severe Level 4 warning for rough seas along the coast, from Alexander Bay to Plettenberg Bay.
What to Expect
Senior Forecaster Puseletso Mofokeng confirmed that the cold front is typical for winter but warned of disruptive conditions, including:
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Heavy rain (30-80mm) in the Western Cape’s extreme western areas, including Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.
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Snowfall on high-lying areas such as the Matroosberg and Kareedouw mountains, spreading to the Eastern Cape’s Joe Gqabi municipality by Friday.
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Damaging winds across the interior, including the Free State and Northern Cape.
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Dangerous coastal conditions, with high waves posing risks to shipping and coastal infrastructure.
Potential Impacts
Mofokeng cautioned that the Level 4 marine warning indicates significant coastal damage, while inland areas face risks of localized flooding, road closures due to snow, and wind damage to weak structures.
Longer-Term Forecast
Temperatures are expected to drop sharply by Friday, bringing very cold conditions to parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo. However, rainfall will ease by Friday morning, except for scattered showers along the southwestern coast.
Safety Advice
Residents, particularly in informal settlements, are urged to take precautions against flooding and wind damage. Motorists traveling in snow-affected regions should check road conditions, as some mountain passes may close.
The weather service continues to monitor the system and will provide updates as needed.
