The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says an intense low-pressure system – known as a cut-off low – is expected to bring widespread showers and thundershowers to many parts of the country between tomorrow and Tuesday.

The cut-off low is set to affect not only parts of South Africa, but also Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, eSwatini and Zimbabwe.

Temperatures are set to drop and flooding could occur.

“These weather systems can also bring damaging winds, severe thunderstorms, and even snow, depending on the season in which they develop. Cut-off lows are most frequent during the autumn and spring seasons, with the highest frequency during the month of April,” its statement reads.

SAWS states persistent showers and thundershowers may lead to flooding over the central and eastern parts of the country, particularly from Sunday into Monday. “Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and large amounts of small hail are possible over the western interior on Sunday into Monday.”

Take precautions

The service warns the public to take necessary precautions, including to avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges, and swollen streams, during this weekend and early next week.

“There remains uncertainty among numerical weather prediction models regarding the intensity and future movement of the system. This uncertainty could lead to changes in rainfall amounts and distribution and the South African Weather Service will therefore provide regular updates to the public and disaster management on expected weather conditions and potential impact-based warnings,” the statement adds.

@vox_weather_girls 04 – 08 April 2024 | Vox Weather Forecast Warming up over the southern parts of the country due to bergwinds ahead of a cold front. Scattered showers and thunderstorms over the central parts of the country, including parts of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga ahead of a cold front. Cool to mild conditions in the Highveld and surrounding areas. On Friday cool to cold conditions behind a cold front in the Western and Eastern Cape, with the cooler conditons spreading to KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern parts of the country on Saturday. This weekend will be cold and wet over most parts of the country due to a CUT-OFF LOW. Strong winds also expected to accompany the CUT-OFF LOW pressure system. #voxweathergirls #coldfront #weatherupdate #cold #fyp #greenscreenvideo ♬ original sound – The Weather Girls

Flood-prone KZN

Zululand Observer reports that while KZN could get away without being affected by the severity of the cut-off low, rain is forecast around the Zululand region from today until Sunday at least, with inland areas like eShowe experiencing a wet early part of next week too.

“Cut-off lows are large weather systems notorious for causing widespread flooding, as evidenced by events such as the well-known KZN flooding in 2022 and the Laingsburg flooding in 1981,” adds SAWS.

The service explains tropical moisture has been transported from our neighbouring countries to the central and eastern interior of South Africa since Wednesday, which resulted in scattered rainfall yesterday and today.

“An intense cut-off low is expected to develop along the west coast of the country from Saturday afternoon. It will then move over the Northern Cape on Sunday, reach the interior of the Western Cape on Monday, and exit along the southern coast of the Western Cape on Tuesday,” continues the statement.