Local news

Mpumalanga, brace yourself – winter will knock on our doors this weekend

Cold temperatures are expected across the western and southern parts of the country from Friday May 31 onwards, while spreading to the central and eastern parts, including the Mpumalanga Highveld.

May 31, 2024
Lowvelder 2 minutes read
Photo: Lowvelder/CANVA

After a relatively dry and warmer-than-usual May, South Africans can expect the first significant drop in daytime temperatures over the coming days, with showers and thundershowers possible across most parts of the country and even some snow over elevated areas, SAWS said in a statement.

According to the service, this is a result of a developing cut-off low-pressure system (the northwards displacement of low-pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere) over the western and southern parts of the country from Sunday and into Monday, June 2 to 3.

“Cut-off low-pressure systems are commonly associated with widespread rain- and snowfall, strong to gale-force winds and rough sea conditions in winter. Showers and rain will develop along the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape later today, May 31, and will extend over much of the province from Saturday June 1. Heavy 24-hour rainfall with accumulations of 50 to 100mm are possible, particularly in places along the coastal belt, where there will also be strong to gale-force winds, and very rough sea conditions with wave heights of five to six metres. Wave heights of seven to eight metres are likely offshore. Strong winds and rough seas are also expected to spread along the south coast of the Western Cape from Saturday afternoon. Marine operations and users, including large and small vessels at sea and beach-goers, should take note of the anticipated deteriorating weather and sea conditions.”

“By Sunday, as the cut-off low-pressure system moves over the country from the west, it will result in cold temperatures as well as widespread thundershowers across the western, central and southern parts, then spreading to the eastern parts later in the day.”

Some of these storms may become severe in places over the central and eastern interior, resulting in large amounts of small hail and strong damaging winds. Rainfall is expected to continue Monday June 3 over the eastern and southern parts of the country.

Cold temperatures (12-17°C) are expected across the western and southern parts of the country from today onwards, while spreading to the central and eastern parts (including the Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga Highveld, and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal) on Monday.

ALSO READ: IN PHOTOS: Voters in the Lowveld show up in their masses to contribute to democracy

“Very cold temperatures (maximum temperatures below 10°C), with mountain snowfalls are possible over the northern high ground of the Eastern Cape, the eastern high ground of the Western Cape, the southern high ground of the Northern Cape, parts of the Drakensberg and in Lesotho on Monday. The system is expected to weaken and exit over the country’s southern coast on Tuesday, with rainfall still expected over parts of the Western and Eastern Cape. The remainder of the country will see the return of clear weather conditions, but temperatures will remain cold,” the statement read.

ALSO READ: Counting of votes continues in Mpumalanga

LISTEN: https://www.tiktok.com/@lowvelder/video/7375142523552976133

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
May 31, 2024
Lowvelder 2 minutes read

Support local journalism

Add The Citizen as a preferred source to see more from Lowvelder in Google News and Top Stories.

Add as a preferred source on Google
Follow on Google News

Bertus de Bruyn

Bertus de Bruyn is based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. De Bruyn has been employed by Caxton since 2009. After a short sabbatical of two years, De Bruyn is back at the place he called home, Caxton, at Lowveld Media. He is currently the digital content manager, but has 14 years of journalism skills, news editor, and acting editor duties behind his name.
Back to top button