NATIONAL NEWS  - The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) distributed a fresh warning this morning about rough seas and adverse weather conditions, after the warnings distributed over the past few days.

The warning applies nationally.

Craig Lambinon, the national NSRI spokesperson noted in a statement: "We are appealing to the public to follow SAWS (South African Weather Services) forecast weather updates and adhere to SAWS weather warnings."

Gale force winds

Rough seas forecast by SAWS will spread throught the coastline and rough seas and gale force winds are causing hazardous inshore sea conditions and hazardous shoreline conditions compounded by the spring tide in places.

The statement read: "We are appealing to commercial maritime industry staff to wear life jackets during commercial operations."

Cold front

Sea conditions are worsened by a cold front now, during the new moon Spring tide, that peaked in the early hours of Saturday morning and that will extend into about the middle of the new week.

"We are appealing to extreme sports and sport fishing craft to preferably not launch in these conditions that are expected, by SAWS, to extend into Monday," Lambinon stated.

Spring high tide

Anglers and coastal hikers should be aware of the Spring high tide with hazardous shoreline conditions compounded by rough seas that may cut off coastline areas during the high tide.

Inland waterways, rivers, lakes and dams are expected, in places, to flood and/or swell where heavy rainfall is forecast by SAWS.

'Do not cross....'

"Do not cross through flooded roadways or cross bridges over river ways that are submerged by swollen rivers," advised Lambinon.

NSRI, maritime authorities, local Municipalities, the emergency services, the SA Police Services and DRM (Disaster Risk Management) are on high alert.