By Alani Janeke
Since Thursday, rainfall of 40mm or more has been recorded in various areas, including parts of the Free State, southern parts of the Northern Cape, and coastal regions of the Eastern Cape. As the system was moving north-east, it was expected to bring significant rainfall to the Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.
Independent agricultural meteorologist Johan van den Berg warns that with rivers and streams already at capacity in places, further heavy rainfall could lead to flooding. “Forecasts indicate that further heavy rain is likely to occur, especially between Sunday, 6 April and Tuesday, 8 April, as the rain pattern shifts westwards.
Tropical moisture was expected to move southwards over Namibia from early Sunday, bringing the potential for fairly heavy rainfall across much of the Northern Cape, the Free State, parts of North West, and the Eastern Cape. From Monday, 7 April, the system was expected to shift further south, with rainfall of 10mm or more likely across large parts of the winter rainfall region. Conditions are expected to clear from the west and move eastwards by the afternoon of Tuesday, 8 April.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 and 9 April, heavy rain is possible over the Southern Cape and central interior. Rainfall exceeding 40mm is likely in some areas, with very heavy rain expected in isolated patches. The risk of flooding over the central and western parts of the country will once again be high.
Van den Berg urges farmers in the central, western, southern and south-eastern parts of the country in particular to prepare for possible flooding.
Less rain is expected in the northern and north-eastern parts of the country, such as Limpopo, the northern and eastern parts of Mpumalanga, and the central to northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
Low temperatures on the way
From 9 April, the weather system is expected to clear, with colder air moving in behind it. Minimum temperatures could drop below 10°C between 10 and 13 April. Expected minimum temperatures include 7°C in Sutherland, 7°C in Barkly East, 8°C in Kokstad, 5°C in Zastron, 5°C in Ficksburg, 7°C in Standerton, 7°C in Bothaville, and 7°C in Cradock.
“Current forecasts suggest that temperatures are unlikely to drop low enough for frost to occur,” Van den Berg says. “If frost does develop, it should not cause significant damage due to the very wet conditions. However, it may slow down plant growth and development.”
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