The South African Weather Service (SAW) warns residents of the Western Eastern and Northern Cape to be prepared for freezing temperatures, heavy rain, snow and gale force winds.
The weather service warned on Monday that a severe cold front would hit the Western Cape by Thursday afternoon. As a result, significant rainfall and snow can be expected for Friday and Saturday for the high-lying areas of the Western and Eastern Cape, as well as the southern areas of the Northern Cape and Lesotho.
Strong northwesterly winds of 60 to 75 km / h will also rage from Thursday afternoon in the Cape metropolis and Central Karoo in the Western Cape.
Lehlohonolo Thobela, a weather forecaster at the SADF, told Maroela Media that heavy rain can be expected over the weekend in the Cape metropolis and Cape Winelands. Heavy precipitation is also forecast for the high-lying areas of the Cape Winelands and Overberg.
Thobela says the heavy rainfall and cold front will move to the eastern coast by Saturday.
“By Sunday the rain will start to clear and temperatures will start to normalize for the provinces,” says Thobela.
Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa gives the following tips for residents of this province to weather their storms:
- Strengthen structures around your home to support the added weight of ice and snow.
- If you get caught in the storm, seek shelter in an undercover parking area, at a gas station or under a bridge.
- Take extra care when pulling off the road and use your emergency warning lights.
- Do not park under trees – branches may break down and damage your vehicle.
- Wrap a thick blanket around your vehicle so you can throw it over the bonnet to avoid hail damage.
- If you live in an area that is regularly flooded, it is a good idea to purchase sandbags that you can place at your entrances to keep the water out.
- Turn off your gas and electricity during floods.
- Motorists are advised not to drive through flooded areas. Water that is 60 cm or deeper can color a vehicle.
- Do not stop if you drive too fast on a waterfall. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator pedal and let the car lose speed. Never take the brake too suddenly. You may lose control of the vehicle, and it may start slipping.
- If you are in your vehicle during a flood, try to get out of the vehicle and move to higher-lying areas. Driving through the water can be dangerous.
