Cold front alert: Windy and wet conditions expected in Western Cape from Friday

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an alert for a cold front, expected to hit the Western Cape on Friday.

According to the weather service, the cold front will introduce cold, windy and showery conditions, which will gradually spread eastwards and northwards during the long weekend.

Cooler conditions with some showers or thundershowers will set in over KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng towards the end of the weekend.

Limpopo is expected to remain hot to very hot during the entire weekend.

ALSO READ: As weather catastrophes become more common being underinsured can be devastating

“The arrival of a cold front over the south-western parts of Western Cape on Friday, 7 April 2023 is expected to bring some light showers, accompanying by cooler, windy conditions to the south-western and southern coast and adjacent interior,” warned the weather service.

Thursday’s weather forecast

Gauteng: Morning fog in the east, otherwise partly cloudy and warm but cool over the central parts. The expected UVB sunburn index: high.

Mpumalanga: Morning fog over the Highveld, otherwise partly cloudy and cool to warm.

Limpopo: Cloudy in the east in the morning, otherwise partly cloudy and cool to warm.

North West: Partly cloudy in the east, otherwise find and warm.

ALSO READ: Wet Easter Sunday on the cards for holidaymakers returning home

Free State: Fine and warm weather.

Northern Cape: Partly cloudy and warm to hot. Evening fog is expected along the coast where it will be cool. The wind along the coast will be moderate to fresh north-westerly.

Western Cape: Morning fog along the west and south-west coasts, otherwise partly cloudy and warm to hot, but fine in the north-east. It will be cool in the south-west. The wind along the coast will be light to moderate southerly to south-westerly. The expected UVB sunburn index: very high.

Western half of the Eastern Cape: Fine and warm to hot. The wind along the coast will be fresh to strong north-easterly.

Eastern half of the Eastern Cape: Morning fog in places, otherwise fine and warm to hot. The wind along the coast will be fresh to strong north-easterly.

KwaZulu-Natal: Morning fog over the interior, otherwise partly cloudy and warm with isolated showers and thundershowers along the north coast. The wind along the coast will be moderate southeasterly in the north, otherwise moderate to fresh north-easterly. The expected UVB sunburn index: very high.

Saturday and Sunday

On Saturday and Sunday, windy and cool weather conditions are expected over the Cape provinces, especially in the south, where showers will occur from time to time.

ALSO READ: No reprieve as load shedding continues over Easter weekend

Showers and thundershowers during this time may be heavy and disruptive over parts of the Eastern Cape coastline, especially in the region between Plettenberg Bay and East London, including the Gqeberha area.

“Bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions are expected to set in over all the mountain ranges and elevated terrain of Western and Eastern Cape. Hikers are therefore strongly advised to take care, plan well and to pack appropriate warm, rainproof clothing,” said the weather service.

WATCH: Eastern Cape weather – Village hit by landslide and floods

The weekend will also see an increase in thunderstorm activity over North-West, the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), especially on Sunday and Monday.

Localised, heavier falls, accompanied by hail in places, may lead disruptive weather-related incidents such as urban and river flooding.