The South African Weather Service has issued the following Impact Based Severe Weather Forecast:

HAZARD 1: DISRUPTIVE SNOW

Alert Level: Yellow (L2)

Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Breede Valley, Kannaland, Karoo Hoogland, Laingsburg, Langeberg, Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert and Witzenberg.

Valid From (SAST): 01/10/20 00h00

Valid To (SAST): 02/10/20 00h00

Discussion: Significant low freezing levels are expected over the interior of the Western Cape and southern parts of the Northern Cape for Thursday and Friday morning due to a passage of a cold front supported by an intense upper cut-off low pressure system. Snowfall is anticipated to cover the mountainous areas during the period. Cold wet and windy weather can be expected.

Impact: Loss of vulnerable crops and livestock, especially sheep that has already been sheered. Light snow leading to icy roads high up in mountains.

Instruction: Small stock farmers are encourage to shelter animals. Dress warmly and avoid high mountain passes if possible. Make contact with your closest disaster manager or community leader and keep listening to the Radio for updates. Bring livestock in and sheltered overnight.

HAZARD 2: DAMAGING WAVES

Alert Level: Yellow (L1)

Affected Municipalities: Cape Agulhas,  City of Cape town, George, Hessequa, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Overstrand, Saldanha Bay, Swartland and Table Bay.

Valid From (SAST): 30/09/20 20h00

Valid To (SAST): 02/10/20 00h00

Discussion: A deep high pressure system (center 1037hPa) accompanied by an intense upper cut-off low pressure system in the upper levels will result in strong southerly to southeasterly winds over the Northern and Western Cape provinces, including the coastal areas from late Wednesday through to early Friday morning. Swell heights are expected to reach 4 to 6m on Thursday along the entire coastlines easing off from early Friday morning. The area of concern is between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay due to the southerly component of both the wind and waves.

Impact: Difficulty in navigation is likely. Small vessels are at risk of taking on water and capsizing. Localized disruptions to beachfront activities and danger to rock anglers can be expected.

Instruction: Be aware of large unpredictable waves along the coast. Small vessels are advised to seek shelter in harbours, bays or inlets. Be aware of strong rip currents especially during periods around spring tide (30 Sep 2020 – 04 October 2020).

HAZARD 3: DISRUPTIVE RAIN

Alert Level: Yellow (L2)

Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Bitou, Cape Agulhas, George, Hessequa, Knysna, Laingsburg, Mossel Bay, Overstrand, Swellendam and Theewaterskloof.

Valid From (SAST): 01/10/20 00h00

Valid To (SAST): 02/10/20 00h00

Discussion: Significant rain is expected for the Overberg, southern parts of the Garden Route District and Central Karoo Districts from tomorrow Thursday morning into Friday. The accumulated rainfall is likely to reach between 35 to 45mm over the period due to the strong southerly winds aided by a cut-off low pressure system in the upper levels.

Impact: Localised flooding can be expected in susceptible formal and informal settlements and roads. Increased travel times and motor vehicle accidents may occur along with difficult driving conditions on dirt roads. Localised and short term disruption to essential services may also occur in places.

Instruction: If possible stay indoors and off the roads, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles. If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, abandon it and climb to higher ground. In buildings, move valuables to a safe place above the expected flood level. Take caution driving on a roads covered by water. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

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

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the weather outlook for the week, as follows:

A weak cold front is expected to brush through the South Western parts by late afternoon (Monday) resulting in rainfall between 0.2mm to 5mm, spreading to the South Coast by late evening. Wind is expected to reach 20 to 30km/h and slightly higher along the south and South Western coastal areas.

No significant weather predicted for Tuesday.

A cold front associated with an intense upper air system (cut-off low) is expected to affect the Province from Wednesday afternoon through to Friday morning. Accumulated rainfall amounts of 15 to 35mm are be expected in places in the Cape Metropole and Cape Winelands but 40 to 65mm in the Overberg, Garden Route and Central Karoo over the period.

Temperatures are expected to drop significantly on Thursday where Snowfalls are expected over the mountainous areas of Cape Winelands, Central Karoo and the Garden Route.

Strong and gusty southerly to South Easterly winds (45-60km/h) are expected on Wednesday through to Friday over the Province.

WIND:

Generally moderate to fresh (25 to 40km/h) Southerly to South Westerly winds are expected for the rest of the week, but strong to near gale southerly to South Easterly (50 to 62km/h) with gusts >63km/h are expected between Alexander Bay and Cape Agulhas by late Wednesday afternoon, spreading to Plettenberg Bay by the evening, persisting into Friday.

WAVES: 

 Two to 3m wave heights are expected for the rest of the week, but very rough seas with wave height of 4 to 5.5m are expected between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay by late Wednesday evening into early Friday morning with south-westerly swell and periods of 10 to 12 seconds becoming southerly to South-South Easterly from Thursday morning south of Slangkop.

VISIBILITY:

 Generally good visibility is expected for the week but moderate to poor in rain and showers between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay from late Wednesday evening  into early Friday morning.

Weather conditions will be monitored during the week and any further developments will be communicated if need be.

For more information, contact the Garden Route Disaster Managment Centre at 044 805 5071.