By Fredalette Uys
After a week of mild weather over much of South Africa, cold, windy and wet conditions, and even snow, are expected in the coming week. Two cold fronts are expected to bring bitterly cold weather and wet conditions to the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape.
According to the South African Weather Service, both systems are being monitored, and the necessary weather information associated with these expected weather systems will be provided.
The weather service warns a cold front will hit the southwestern parts of South Africa as early as Monday. This will bring wet, cold and windy conditions over much of the Western Cape. A stronger cold front will follow on Tuesday. These conditions can spread to the eastern parts and affect areas in the Namaqua district of the Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.
Rainfall of 15mm and 25mm is expected in most of these areas, while 30mm to 50mm can descend over mountainous areas. Local flooding may occur in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Strong winds of up to 65km/h are expected inland, particularly across the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape. It can damage infrastructure, uproot trees, hamper transportation, and cause power outages.
Very cold temperatures are expected from Tuesday to Friday, with possible snow on the high-lying areas. Rough sea conditions and swells of up to 7m can disrupt coastal activities.
Across the central and eastern parts of the country, very cold conditions favourable for snowfall in the high-lying areas are expected. This may last from late Tuesday evening until Friday, 23 May.
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