The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued multiple warnings for cold and wet weather conditions in several parts of the country over the next couple of days, due to a cut-off low pressure system.
19 May 2022
Rainfall can be expected over central and southern parts of the country from 19 May onwards.
Light snowfalls as deep as 2-5cm are anticipated over the mountainous high-lying areas of the Eastern and Western Cape, and the south-eastern and eastern Free State.
Drought-stricken parts of the Eastern Cape may receive 24-hour rainfall accumulations ranging from 25-35mm.
Gusty winds ranging from 45-55km/h are expected to precede the cold front over the central and south coast of the Western Cape as well as the central area of the Northern Cape. These winds may increase the chances of veld fires.
There is also a possibility of severe storms, accompanied by hail and strong winds over the central and eastern parts of the country.
A yellow Level 2 warning for heavy rainfall has been issued to the eastern parts of the Western Cape and the western parts of the Eastern Cape. This is expected to spread to the central and south-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape throughout the day.
Thus residents can expect localised flooding at susceptible bridges, roads and informal settlements.
20 May 2022
Heavier snowfalls as deep as 10-20cm might occur in the Drakensberg/Lesotho regions, and continue over the coming days.
Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are expected over the central part of the country, spreading to Mpumalanga, KZN, Gauteng and Limpopo, and could continue over the coming days. Due to oversaturated soils in parts of KZN, rainfalls exceeding 20mm might result in localised flooding.
Temperatures in the western, southern, eastern and central parts of the country are not expected to exceed 14 degrees Celsius. In the Eastern Cape, the southernmost area of the Free State and the south-western high-lying areas of KZN, temperatures are not expected to reach eight degrees Celsius.
The weather is expected to clear up by 23 May. Residents are urged to heed weather warnings and prepare accordingly, as well as monitor updates from SAWS.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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