The South African Weather Service says many South Africans need to get ready for a brisk start to the new week when temperatures are expected to drop significantly Monday and Tuesday.
After snow has already fallen over parts of the Eastern Cape and Lesotho and thereafter over areas such as QwaQwa in the Free State, the Western Cape mountains and the far south-western parts of the Northern Cape can also expect their first snow of 2020.
The weather service says a cold front is expected on Sunday evening and could lead to rain showers across the southwestern parts of the Western Cape. The cold front is preceded by windy conditions in most areas, with strong winds over the interior of the Western Cape.
Strong winds are also forecast for the southwestern and southern coasts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Rough sea conditions with waves between 4.5 and 6.5 m high are expected along the coastline.
Bitter cold day temperatures are forecast for the Cape Provinces, and those in the far south-western parts of the Western Cape have to steel themselves for a combination of cold, strong winds and moderate rain, the weather service warned.
There is also a flood warning.
Cold conditions are also forecast for Lesotho, the Free State and the south and southwest of North West on Monday. Snow is expected in the northern hinterland of the Eastern Cape on Tuesday. Bitter cold is also forecast for the Cape Provinces, the Free State and southern KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday.
The southern parts of Gauteng will also be cold and windy on Tuesday.
The snow is expected to spread to Lesotho, QwaQwa and the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg.
“Although many people will be excited to see the snow, the weather service advises the public to travel there amid the Covid 19 pandemic and the seclusion regulations,” the weather service said.
Temperatures should start rising again by Wednesday, though widespread frost across the interior can be expected.
