South Africans are being urged to prepare for severe winter weather, with snow, flood risks and dangerous coastal conditions expected this week.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions across parts of South Africa during the first week of June.
While Monday and Tuesday are expected to be partly cloudy and cold, conditions are set to deteriorate from Wednesday, with snowfall forecast in parts of the Western and Northern Cape.
SAWS said very cold weather and rainfall are expected over the central and eastern interior of the Western Cape, as well as the southern parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape.
"Light snowfall is expected over the mountain tops of the central and eastern parts of the Western Cape, and the higher-lying areas of the southern Namakwa District during this period," the weather service said.
The forecaster warned that travel over mountain passes could become difficult, while strong winds and cold conditions may disrupt outdoor activities.
SAWS has issued an Orange Level 5 warning for disruptive rain in the Eastern Cape from Wednesday.
According to the weather service, a ridging high-pressure system combined with a cut-off low in the upper atmosphere is expected to bring cold conditions, snowfall over high-lying areas and widespread rainfall across the province, with heavy downpours forecast in some areas.
A Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain has also been issued for the western half and central parts of the Eastern Cape.
Along the coast, a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds and waves has been issued between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday and Thursday.
SAWS said south-easterly swells of between 4m and 6m, coupled with strong winds, are expected to create very rough sea conditions.
In the Western Cape, the Garden Route has been placed under both an Orange Level 5 and a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain.
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