Cut-off low to bring cold, wet and windy conditions from Thursday

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of cold, wet and windy conditions affecting the Western Cape and Northern Cape from Thursday into Friday, driven by a cut-off low-pressure system developing over the western interior.

High-lying areas can expect very cold conditions, with maximum temperatures potentially staying below 10°C in places. Rainfall over parts of the Western Cape may become disruptive, raising the risk of localised flooding, particularly in the south-eastern parts of the province.

SAWS has also warned of strong to damaging winds over the interior, gale-force winds along the south-western and southern coast, and waves of between 4.5 and 5.5 metres that could threaten coastal infrastructure and activities.

Three level 4 yellow warnings have been issued. Disruptive rainfall, capable of flooding roads and settlements and significantly disrupting traffic, is expected over the Overberg and Garden Route districts on Thursday.

Damaging winds – with the potential to damage temporary structures, injure people and endanger life through flying debris – are expected over the Namakwa district, parts of the Cape Winelands and Central Karoo districts, and the Little Karoo municipality from Thursday afternoon into Friday.

Damaging winds and waves capable of disrupting ports and harbours and endangering vessels at sea are expected between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay over the same period.

As the system tracks eastwards over the weekend, it is expected to bring a marked drop in temperatures along with scattered to widespread showers, thundershowers and windy conditions to the Free State, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern parts of the North West, persisting from Friday into Sunday.

SAWS has also flagged the potential for severe thunderstorms over the Free State, North West and Gauteng from Friday afternoon into Saturday evening, shifting towards Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from Sunday morning, with a possible extension into southern Limpopo. Where these occur, they may bring heavy downpours and localised flooding, strong and potentially damaging winds, and excessive lightning with a chance of hail.

Snowfall is also possible over the Drakensberg Mountains in the Eastern Cape on Friday morning, extending into the high-lying areas of Lesotho, with motorists in mountain passes urged to be alert to rapidly changing conditions.

Members of the public and small-stock farmers are advised to keep track of updated forecasts, avoid crossing flooded roads and bridges, take care during heavy rainfall, secure loose outdoor objects, avoid sheltering under trees or near metal structures during storms, exercise caution near the coast, dress appropriately for the cold, protect vulnerable individuals from exposure, ensure adequate shelter for livestock, and stay alert for snowfall and changing conditions in mountainous areas.