Cold front forecast for Western Cape with possible snow

Accumulated rainfall amounts of 15 to 35 mm are be expected in places in the Cape Metropole and Cape Winelands, but 40 to 65 mm 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 40 km/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 62 km/h) with gusts >63 km/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 heights 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 visibility 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 Management Centre at 044 805 5071.