Cold and rainy weekend expected for Gauteng

Cold and rainy weekend expected for Gauteng Photo: Stock/Canva

Cold and rainy weekend is expected for Gauteng

The South African Weather Service warned Gauteng residents should brace themselves for a rainy and cold weekend.

Cold and rainy weekend expected for Gauteng

Cold and rainy weekend expected for Gauteng Photo: Stock/Canva

Gauteng residents should brace themselves for a rainy and cold weekend.

TEMPERATURES WILL DROP FROM FRIDAY

The SA Weather Service (SAWS) warned that temperatures will drop significantly from Friday.

SAWS forecaster Luthando Masimini said rainy and cold conditions are expected to set in this coming Friday and throughout the weekend over the central and south-eastern parts of the country.

The provinces expected to be particularly affected:

  • Gauteng,
  • The eastern parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape,
  • Free State,
  • North-West,
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • The Highveld region of Mpumalanga

“Associated with these rainy conditions, localised flooding is likely to affect the agricultural sector, infrastructure and settlements over the North-West, the northern parts of the Free state and Gauteng on Friday.

LOCALISED FLOODING ALSO EXPECTED IN PARTS OF SA

“Including the eastern parts of the Northern Cape, the northern and eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, the western parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Mpumalanga Highveld on Saturday.”

Masimini said localised disruptions to beachfront activities as well as incidents of damage to coastal infrastructure may also occur along the coastal region between Port Alfred and Sodwana Bay.

Furthermore, this wet spell will be accompanied by cold to very cold conditions over the southern and south-eastern interior of the country on Friday, spreading to the central and eastern interior by Saturday.

“Moreover, light snowfalls can be expected over the eastern and southern parts of Lesotho and the surrounding Drakensberg mountains on Saturday evening as well as overnight Sunday night.”

THERE IS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DOMINANT WEATHER SYSTEM:

Dominant weather system:

A sharp upper-air trough will form seaward of the southwest coast of South Africa on Friday. This upper-air trough is likely to propagate north-eastwards whilst intensifying into a cut-off low (COL) over the south-western Cape on Saturday afternoon, 9 April 2022.

The COL system (which will be supported and augmented by an Atlantic Ocean High within the lower atmosphere, ridging eastwards, south of the
country) is expected to affect the central, southern, and south-eastern interior of South Africa, exiting the south-eastern coastline of the country by Tuesday.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) strongly urges the public to avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams, especially in cases where the water is more than ankle-deep.
SAWS also recommends moving to higher ground if rising floodwaters threaten one’s safety.

“The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to this weather system and will issue subsequent updates as required. Furthermore, the public is urged and encouraged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio.”

ALSO READ: Snowfall: Flurries of up to 16cm possible in some areas this weekend