South Africans should prepare for cold, wet weather this week as a cut-off low (COL) pressure system approaches. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that the system will make landfall over the western interior on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, triggering widespread showers, thunderstorms, and a notable temperature drop.
SAWS defines a cut-off low as a low-pressure system detached from the main atmospheric flow, often lingering in one region and causing intense weather, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, or snow.
Its slow movement and ability to draw in moist air can lead to significant impacts, according to the South African Weather Service.
Taking this into consideration, SAWS forecasts the COL will move eastward, exiting the country by Saturday, 26 April 2025. Furthermore, SAWS noted that scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers are expected over the central and eastern parts of the country, with rainfall accumulations exceeding 50 mm in the eastern regions on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, and Thursday, 24 April 2025.
Moreover, SAWS cautioned that severe thunderstorms may cause flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage or loss of infrastructure, property, vehicles, livelihoods, and livestock, particularly in the Free State and North West. Damaging hail is also possible in association with these thunderstorms.
Adding to this, SAWS stated that, “Snowfalls are also likely over the Drakensberg mountains in Lesotho, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape during this period.
Moreover, daytime temperatures are also expected to drop significantly from Wednesday onwards, across most parts of the country, with a gradual recovery from Friday (25 April 2025) onwards.
As the country braces for the incoming cut-off low, vigilance will be essential. Authorities, emergency services, and communities alike are urged to stay alert, especially in regions at higher risk of flooding or snowfall. Motorists and those living in low-lying areas should take extra precautions, while farmers and rural communities are advised to prepare for the possibility of damage to infrastructure and livestock.
While this weather system may disrupt daily routines, South Africans are encouraged to remain informed through official updates from the South African Weather Service. With timely information and careful planning, the impacts of the cut-off low can be managed, ensuring the safety and resilience of affected communities during this period of unsettled weather.
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