South African motorists have been advised to exercise caution this week due to severe weather warnings, with heavy rain, winds, and even snowfall expected in multiple provinces.
This is according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), which has issued a Level 6 alert this week, with parts of the country expected to see plunging temperatures.
It noted that some areas may experience between 25cm and 35cm of snow on Monday and Tuesday. This is likely to impact motorists travelling through affected areas.
“The snowfall and/or high accumulations could result in danger to life, loss of livestock and crops, communities becoming inaccessible or cut off, disruptions to services, dangerous and difficult driving conditions, and pass closures,” it said.
This applies to parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng, reported BusinessTech.
The lead meteorologist at Africa Weather, Siphesihle Kunene, told SABC News that the approaching storm would start with a cold front before developing into a cut-off low, which would magnify the severe weather.
“The main weather system that is approaching is a cold front, but it will transform or mature into a cut-off low. That is the system that is bringing all these severe weather conditions,” Kunene said.
Heavy rain, meanwhile, is likely to fall over parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga. Road users have also been warned to be cautious of strong winds across much of the country.
“Most of the country can expect damaging winds of varying speeds, along with extremely cold temperatures. No one is spared from the extreme cold,” said the meteorologist.
Much of this severe weather is set to take place today (Monday, 10 August), which is concerning, given that many families will be driving home after the long weekend.
“The worst is really on Monday morning. That is the most important point to emphasise.”
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