In an official statement, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) stated, “Cold to very cold temperatures are expected in most parts of the country over the next few days, with snow on the high-lying areas.”
This announcement foresees a significant drop in temperatures accompanied by showers and rain as the eagerly anticipated cold front reaches the western regions of South Africa.
“Further cooling is expected over the western parts of the country tomorrow, spreading to the central and eastern parts during Sunday and Monday, with maximum temperatures expected to stay below 10°C in most places over the interior.”
According to SAWS, snowfall has already commenced in the high lying areas of the Western and Northern Cape, with predictions of it spreading to similar elevated regions in the Eastern Cape, potentially causing disruptions in some areas. Additionally, the weather service forecasts snow to reach the southern Drakensberg on Sunday, 9 July 2023, with a chance of light snowfall along the eastern Highveld and the escarpment of Mpumalanga on Monday, 10 July 2023.
SAWS has alerted the public to exercise caution in light of these conditions. “Please be advised that the combination of the very cold temperatures with possible snowfall poses a real risk for small stock farmers as well as any outdoor activities,” warned SAWS.
Considering the potential hazards, The weather service has issued a yellow level 2 warning for disruptive snowfall expected in the southwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
This warning highlights the risk of icy roads, leading to traffic disruptions and possible losses of vulnerable livestock and crops on Sunday and Monday.
Furthermore, a yellow level 2 warning has been issued for strong damaging winds along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The warning emphasises the possibility of small vessels capsizing, navigation difficulties for smaller vessels, and localised disruptions to small harbours and ports for a short period of time. This warning will be in effect from Sunday afternoon into Monday.
As the weather conditions intensify, it is essential for residents and visitors to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety and mitigate any potential risks. Stay informed, heed the warnings, and follow the advice provided by local authorities.
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