Author: Marillia Veldkornet

The Cape Weather Office has issued the following expected weather forecast for the week and severe weather alerts as follows:

FORECAST:

An intense Cut-off low is developing and is associated with a low pressure system at the surface. Winds are expected to reach 50 to 65km/h gusting 65 to 82km/h along the south coast from tomorrow afternoon and over the eastern parts of the Western Cape Province by Wednesday.

Showers and thundershowers are expected over the eastern parts Tuesday night, spreading over the whole Province by Wednesday. Good rainfall amounts are also expected over the Overberg District and Cape Town (35 to 45mm) by Wednesday thus heavy rain leading to localised flooding can be expected over those areas.

Offshore conditions are expected for Thursday and Friday, with a high pressure system dominant over the country. A cold front is expected to make landfall over the south western parts overnight Saturday, spreading to the east by the afternoon, clearing by the evening. Not more than 10mm of rainfall amounts are expected.

Wind: Tomorrow an intense cut-off low develops along our West Coast, associated with a low pressure system at the surface. Gale to strong gale force easterly 65 to 90km/h winds are expected between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay by Tuesday afternoon into the evening, becoming north westerly 65 to 90km/h wind from Wednesday morning, moderating from the west.

Waves: In general wave heights are expected to be 3.0 to 4.0m with south-westerly swell, reaching 5.0 to 6.0m east of Cape Agulhas (very rough seas) by Tuesday evening but 6.5 to 7.0m between Still Bay and Plettenberg Bay (high seas), with easterly swells, subsiding by Thursday morning.

Visibility: Generally good visibility is expected for the week, but moderate in rain and showers along the coastal areas of the south western parts, clearing towards the evening. Moderate to poor visibility is also expected by Tuesday evening into Wednesday, clearing towards the evening of Thursday. Another Cold front expected to make landfall Saturday thus moderate visibility in showers and rain along the west coast spreading along the south coast by the evening, clearing by Sunday.

ALERTS:

HAZARD 1: Damaging Winds

Alert Level: Watch

Valid From (SAST): 01/09/20 12h00

Valid To (SAST): 02/09/20 00h00

1. Gale to strong gale force easterly to south-easterly winds (65-90km/h) are expected between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay including the adjacent coastal towns from Tuesday afternoon, becoming north-westerly from Wednesday morning (01-02/09/2020).
2. Gale to strong gale force north-westerly interior winds (65-80km/h) are expected over the Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route Districts on Wednesday (02/09/2020).

HAZARD 2: High Seas

Alert Level: Watch

Valid From (SAST): 02/09/20 00h00

Valid To (SAST): 02/09/20 00h00

High seas with wave heights in excess of 6m is expected between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay on Wednesday (02/09/2020).

Report any severe weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044-805 5071.