Severe weather conditions are expected to hit parts of the country this week, prompting warnings from the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

George Herald reports that SAWS issued an orange level 5 warning for damaging winds and waves expected between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay. These conditions are likely to cause difficulty in navigation at sea for medium to large vessels, with risks of dragging anchors and breaking mooring lines. The warning is in place from today through to tomorrow evening.

A yellow level 4 warning for disruptive snowfall has also been issued, with concerns over potential loss of livestock and crops as well as the closure of mountain passes. This is expected to affect the Cape Winelands, Little and Central Karoo tomorrow.

Very cold, wet, and windy conditions, leading to daytime temperatures of 10°C and below, are expected in parts of the Western and Northern Cape from today through Tuesday. These conditions may pose risks to vulnerable people, livestock, and pets.

Several other weather warnings have been issued across various regions:

• Yellow level 4: Disruptive snowfall is expected over the Ubuntu Local Municipality in the Northern Cape. This could lead to the loss of livestock and crops, as well as the closure of mountain passes.
• Yellow level 1: Disruptive rainfall is forecast for the south-western parts of KZN. This may result in localised flooding in formal and informal settlements, low-lying areas, and bridges. While major roads will be affected, they will remain passable. Increased travel times, difficult driving conditions on dirt roads, and minor accidents due to slippery roads and reduced visibility are also anticipated.
• Yellow level 1: Disruptive snowfall is expected over the high-lying interior of the Eastern Cape, potentially causing isolated losses of vulnerable livestock and crops, as well as traffic disruptions.
• Yellow level 1: Damaging winds are expected in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Sundays River Valley, and the Kouga and Ndlambe local municipalities. These winds may cause localised damage to settlements and create hazardous driving conditions.