Damaging winds, veld fire conditions NOW for parts of SA

Warnings for damaging winds and veld fire conditions were issued for several parts of South Africa on Wednesday. 

WARNINGS FOR DAMAGING WINDS AND VELD FIRE CONDITIONS WERE ISSUED

According to the SA Weather Service (SAWS) the weather conditions could cause localised problems for high-sided vehicles on prone routes (especially in the N1) due to cross winds on exposed high-level roads/bridges. 

“Risk of localised runways fires due to dry conditions, hot temperatures, and strong winds.” 

SAWS

THESE AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE DAMAGING WINDS

The SAWS warned that the following areas would be affected by damaging winds: 

• Hantam
• Calvinia
• Karoo Hoogland 
• Sutherland
• Beaufort West
• Witzenberg 
• Ceres
• Langeberg
• Robertson
• Kannaland
• Ladismith
• Prince Albert

“Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.” 

The SAWS furthermore issued a weather advisory for veld fire conditions.

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“Extremely high fire danger conditions are expected over Karoo Hoogland, Khai-Ma municipalities (N.Cape), Central and Little Karoo, as well as the south-western parts of Cape Winelands district (W.Cape).” 

SAWS

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED BY VELD FIRE CONDITIONS

These areas will be affected on Wednesday: 

• Khâi-Ma / Pofadder
• Kareeberg / VanWyksvlei
• Karoo Hoogland / Sutherland
• Ubuntu / Victoria West
• Beaufort West
• Breede Valley / Worcester
• Kannaland / Ladismith
• Oudtshoorn
• Prince Albert

“Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.”: 

It advised that fire teams, labour and equipment are to be placed on standby. 

“The first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.” 

HERE IS THE FORECAST FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY:

GAUTENG:

Partly cloudy and warm with isolated showers and thundershowers.

The expected UVB sunburn index: Very High

MPUMALANGA:

Cloudy and cool to warm but hot in places in the  Lowveld with morning fog patches along the escarpment,  otherwise isolated thunderstorms can be expected in the province.

LIMPOPO:

Partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated thunderstorms in the middle south of the province and the extreme southwest.

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NORTH-WEST:

Partly cloudy and warm to hot, with isolated showers and thundershowers over the western and the central parts.

FREE STATE:

Partly cloudy and cool to warm, with isolated showers and thundershowers over the northern parts.

NORTHERN CAPE:

Fine and warm to hot, becoming partly cloudy in the east with isolated showers and thundershowers over the northeast.

The wind along the coast will be  moderate to fresh west to north-westerly

WESTERN CAPE:

Partly cloudy in the west with showers and rain along the west coast; otherwise fine and cool to warm. 

The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh north-westerly but strong in the southwest otherwise, moderate to fresh south-westerly along the south coast. 

The expected UVB sunburn index: High

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WESTERN HALF OF THE EASTERN CAPE:

Partly cloudy and warm to hot. 

The wind along the coast will be Moderate north-easterly, becoming moderate to fresh south-westerly.

EASTERN HALF OF THE EASTERN CAPE:

Partly cloudy and hot. 

The wind along the coast will be Light to moderate north-easterly, becoming moderate south westerly by evening.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

Partly cloudy and warm with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers in the north.

The wind along the coast will be Moderate to fresh, easterly to north-easterly. 

The expected UVB sunburn index: Very High

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