Cold fronts to bring wet, windy and chilly conditions across South Africa
A series of cold fronts is set to sweep across the country, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures, rain and strong winds from Friday to Monday.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of cold, wet and windy conditions expected to affect large parts of the country from Friday to Monday, April 20.
The weather change is linked to two consecutive cold fronts making landfall over the western parts of South Africa. These systems will initially affect the Western and Northern Cape before moving eastwards across central and eastern regions over the weekend.
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Daytime temperatures are expected to drop significantly, particularly in high-lying areas of the western interior, where maximums could reach between 10°C and 12°C.
Strong winds will intensify the cold through a pronounced wind chill effect, while northern parts of the country are likely to remain relatively warm.
Marine conditions are also expected to deteriorate, with wave heights along the coastline forecast to reach between 4m and 5m from Sunday into Monday, potentially disrupting coastal activities.
From Friday, cold, wet and windy conditions are expected across the western interior. By Saturday, the cold air mass is set to spread into central areas as the system continues moving east.
SAWS said widespread cool to cold conditions are expected across much of the country, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers forecast for the Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KZN.
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By Sunday, the conditions are expected to extend to the eastern and southern parts of the country, including coastal areas.The weather service warned that this could lead to localised flooding in low-lying areas, reduced visibility on roads and disruptions to outdoor activities. Strong winds and rough seas may also pose risks along the coastline.
Residents are advised to dress warmly, use heating devices safely, exercise caution when travelling on wet roads and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall. The public is also urged to secure loose outdoor items and stay away from the coastline during rough sea conditions.
SAWS has encouraged the public to monitor official weather updates and warnings throughout the period.
