Heatwave to turn to cold front, light snow and rain this weekend
The SA Weather Service forecasts temperatures will drop sharply from Friday until early next week
26 October 2023 - 13:54
byRorisang Kgosana
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Gauteng residents have been warned to brace themselves for cold, wet weather from the weekend. Picture: 123RF/SURUT WATTANAMAETEE
A cold and wet weekend is expected over large parts of the country and snow is forecast in some provinces, with the current high temperatures in many areas forecast to drop sharply.
Gauteng and the eastern parts of the North West are experiencing a heatwave, with areas in Tshwane such as Hammanskraal and Wonderboom reaching temperatures of 35°C.
“Friday will be very hot in most places and we are expecting temperatures to reach the mid-30s in most areas in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo,” said SA Weather Service forecaster Dipuo Tawana.
The Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape can expect a drop in temperatures from Friday due to cold air coming in from the south, leading to a cold front that will move towards the east of the country. Showers and rain are forecast along the south coast, from Cape Agulhas to Durban.
“We expect rain on Saturday for most of the country. There will be a 30% probability of isolated interior thunderstorms. One or two storms might be severe and could produce damaging winds. The coastal areas are expected to have showers and rain with greater probabilities in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape,” Tawana said.
Snowfall is predicted on Sunday in high-lying areas and the interior of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg. mountains.
“There is a possibility of sprinkles on the Drakensberg from Saturday but of more concern is Sunday,” Tawana said.
There is a 60% chance of rain in Gauteng and other provinces on Sunday, which will increase to an 80% probability on Monday. Temperatures are expected to remain below 16°C.
There is a risk of flooding, especially in Tshwane where municipal protests are affecting refuse removal.
“Areas such as Tshwane have garbage everywhere and there are chances the drainage systems are going to get clogged,” Tawana said.
“Localised flooding is also expected over the North West, Gauteng, the northern parts of the Free State and part of the Northern Cape. A lot of the rain will move more to the central parts of the country on Monday,” Tawana said.
“Indications remain strong for Tuesday with high probabilities of scattered showers and thundershowers in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the eastern parts of the North West and the Free State.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Heatwave to turn to cold front, light snow and rain this weekend
The SA Weather Service forecasts temperatures will drop sharply from Friday until early next week
A cold and wet weekend is expected over large parts of the country and snow is forecast in some provinces, with the current high temperatures in many areas forecast to drop sharply.
Gauteng and the eastern parts of the North West are experiencing a heatwave, with areas in Tshwane such as Hammanskraal and Wonderboom reaching temperatures of 35°C.
“Friday will be very hot in most places and we are expecting temperatures to reach the mid-30s in most areas in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo,” said SA Weather Service forecaster Dipuo Tawana.
The Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape can expect a drop in temperatures from Friday due to cold air coming in from the south, leading to a cold front that will move towards the east of the country. Showers and rain are forecast along the south coast, from Cape Agulhas to Durban.
“We expect rain on Saturday for most of the country. There will be a 30% probability of isolated interior thunderstorms. One or two storms might be severe and could produce damaging winds. The coastal areas are expected to have showers and rain with greater probabilities in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape,” Tawana said.
Snowfall is predicted on Sunday in high-lying areas and the interior of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg. mountains.
“There is a possibility of sprinkles on the Drakensberg from Saturday but of more concern is Sunday,” Tawana said.
There is a 60% chance of rain in Gauteng and other provinces on Sunday, which will increase to an 80% probability on Monday. Temperatures are expected to remain below 16°C.
There is a risk of flooding, especially in Tshwane where municipal protests are affecting refuse removal.
“Areas such as Tshwane have garbage everywhere and there are chances the drainage systems are going to get clogged,” Tawana said.
“Localised flooding is also expected over the North West, Gauteng, the northern parts of the Free State and part of the Northern Cape. A lot of the rain will move more to the central parts of the country on Monday,” Tawana said.
“Indications remain strong for Tuesday with high probabilities of scattered showers and thundershowers in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the eastern parts of the North West and the Free State.”
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