Multiple weather warnings have been issued by the South African Weather Services (SAWS), a level 4 for heavy rain and potential flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape on Sunday, and a level 6 warning for high winds of between 80 and 90km/h over the Western and South-Western parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

The inclement weather conditions follow the SAWS announcement of level 6 orange warnings with heavy rain, strong winds and snow in the Capes have risen from mild alert yellow level to alert orange level six in provinces.

SAWS Lehlogonolo Thobela says Several cold fronts are expected to reach South Africa’s shores during the coming week.

“The first weather system of the series is an intense cold front that is expected to affect the western and central parts of the country”, added Thobela.

With the orange level six alert declared, widespread snowfall is expected in the Western Cape and southern high ground of the Northern Cape from Sunday afternoon but will spread to the Eastern Cape
in the evening.

Thobela also says severeness of the recent alert could extend as far as Prieska in the Northern Cape and Bloemfontein in the Free State and may result in the closure of roads, damage to infrastructure, power cuts and possible loss of vulnerable livestock. Additionally, very wet cold and windy conditions associated with an intense cold front and steepening upper-air trough is expected to start affecting the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North-West and Free State, spreading along the Lesotho border on Monday.

“Maximum temperatures will not exceed 10°C in some areas, while daytime temperatures over the high ground are unlikely to exceed 4°C’’.

Although daytime temperatures are expected to recover quickly, SAWS said, “Tuesday morning will be the coldest morning of the year so far, with many localities over the interior of the country expected to drop well below freezing, with widespread morning’’.

Meanwhile, Johannesburg residents are also urged to stay updated with weather forecasts and to take necessary measures to stay safe and warm.

The sudden drop in temperature has prompted advisories for residents to take precautions, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and those with health conditions.

Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations including when it is likely that the weather will cause some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places.