Following a barrage of weather warnings for the upcoming week, what weather conditions can Newcastle, Ladysmith, and Dundee expect over the weekend?
AccuWeather has provided a detailed forecast to help residents prepare for the weekend, which offers a mix of warmth, scattered showers, and cooler nighttime temperatures.
We now take a closer look at AccuWeather’s three-day forecast:
Friday, 27 September 2024:
Newcastle: Despite earlier concerns about potential snowfall, residents can expect warm weather conditions with temperatures reaching 29°. However, the evening will bring a noticeable cool-down, with temperatures predicted to drop to 9°.
Ladysmith: A pleasant day awaits Ladysmith, with temperatures forecast to reach a high of 25°. As evening approaches, the temperature will drop to a cooler 9°.
Dundee: Dundee residents can look forward to a warm day with sunshine filtering through high clouds. Temperatures are forecast to peak at 25°, while the evening will drop to 9°.
Saturday, 28 September 2024:
Newcastle: Expect a hot day, with temperatures soaring to 31°. AccuWeather has cautioned that due to the intense heat, there is a risk of dehydration and heatstroke, particularly during strenuous activities. As the night approaches, temperatures will drop to a more comfortable 16°. An evening shower is also expected.
Ladysmith: A hot day is on the cards, with cloud coverage and sunny intervals. The temperature is expected to peak at 32°. The nighttime temperature will fall to 17°.
Dundee: A warmer day is forecast, with temperatures reaching a high of 31°. As the day draws to a close, the evening temperature will settle at a pleasant 16°.
Sunday, 29 September 2024:
Newcastle: A hot day is expected, with temperatures forecast to reach 32°. A thunderstorm is on the cards in the afternoon. Nightfall will bring cooler weather, with temperatures dropping to 12°, accompanied by some rainfall.
Ladysmith: A warm day is anticipated, with temperatures reaching a peak of 30°. The evening will see the temperature fall to 10°, with a shower expected later in the night.
Dundee: The forecast for Dundee shows a very warm day with temperatures reaching 31°. A thunderstorm is likely in the afternoon. Nighttime temperatures are expected to fall to 12°, with more rain anticipated late at night.
Potential snowfall and inclement weather in KwaZulu-Natal early next week
While the weekend promises pleasant weather for most areas, it’s important to note that the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of possible snowfall and inclement weather hitting large parts of KwaZulu-Natal from Monday, 30 September 2024, into Tuesday, 1 October 2024.
As reported by Newcastillian News, in response to the forecast, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZNCOGTA) has placed disaster management teams on alert, and the KZN Department of Transport is taking steps to minimise disruptions due to the expected snowfall.
To learn more about the upcoming snowfall, click here.
In an update issued on Thursday afternoon, 26 September 2024, SAWS detailed the expected weather conditions for the coming days.
The weather service explained that following the recent snowfall that caused havoc on roads between the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, light snow is predicted over the Drakensberg this weekend. Moreover, according to SAWS, weather conditions are set to change dramatically as an upper trough system, associated with a ridging high-pressure system at the surface, brings a significant drop in temperatures over South Africa’s escarpment regions, stretching from the Western Cape to southern KwaZulu-Natal.
The weather service predicted that daytime temperatures are expected to cool down across the Western Cape starting on Sunday, 29 September 2024, with the cooling trend spreading to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal by Monday, 30 September 2024.
“The expected snowfall will follow a similar pattern, starting in the Western Cape early on Sunday morning (29 September 2024) and moving eastward towards KwaZulu-Natal by Monday morning (30 September 2024). Snowfall will clear in the Western Cape and western parts of the Eastern Cape by Monday evening, but snowfall will persist into Tuesday (1 October 2024) over the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal,” SAWS stated.
Looking ahead, SAWS explained that as the cold front exits the country on Monday, 30 September 2024, and the ridging high-pressure system takes hold, cold to very cold conditions will settle over most of the southern parts of South Africa.
Furthermore, SAWS noted that Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models currently indicate that the accumulated snowfall depth will likely not exceed 2 cm. However, this forecast could change as the event draws closer. At this time, SAWS does not anticipate significant impacts on the N3, including van Reenen’s Pass, this weekend.
As per SAWS, the ridging high-pressure system is expected to weaken and leave the country by Tuesday afternoon, with daytime temperatures recovering quickly across eastern South Africa from Sunday into Monday.
This weather system differs significantly from the snowstorm that hit the country from 19 to 22 September 2024, and SAWS has indicated that the impacts are not expected to be as severe. “The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor any further developments and provide updates as necessary,” concluded SAWS.
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