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Weather: Cold front imminent, hail and storms to batter E Cape
Severe storms and large hail predicted for Eastern Cape with potential 'danger to life' warning while cold front sweeps in from southwest.
Low-lying settlements will be at risk, including roads and bridges. iStock photo for illustration purposes.
South Africans are warned to brace for severe weather: storms, another cold front, hail, and damaging winds over the eastern and southwest parts of the country.
Here’s what you need to know.
Weather update
The South African Weather Service issued yellow level 1 and yellow 2 warnings for severe storms and large hail over large parts of the Eastern Cape today and tomorrow.
These alerts will be in effect from noon until 11pm tonight.
Severe storms, hail in EC
The weather service said these conditions are due to a surface trough accompanied by a cut-off low over the western and eastern sections of the nation.
This weather pattern is predicted to disrupt a large area of the Eastern Cape with potential hail, heavy downpours, and robust winds that may lead to property damage.
This volatile combination of strong winds and large hail could lead to localised property damage, including settlements, vehicles, and infrastructure, posing a risk to life.
In addition, there could be short-term disruptions to livelihoods and essential municipal services. Traffic disruptions are also a possibility.
Cold front approaching
In other news, Angelo Ricardo Hoorn, a meteorologist and disaster risk reduction specialist, warned of a cold front approaching South Africa from the southwest.
Hoorn said the slow-moving system was approximately 220km southwest of Cape Town (as of 8am on Sunday) and will make landfall by evening.
The cold front – accompanied by a steep upper air trough positioned at least 5 500m above sea level – will bring light rain to the southwestern parts of the Western Cape.
Impact on aviation
Meanwhile, the O.R Tambo International Airport experienced Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) on Sunday morning due to fog and low cloud conditions.
IMC is an aviation flight category that requires pilots to fly primarily by reference to instruments under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
Weather forecast for the week ahead
The SA weather service predicts isolated showers and rain along the southwestern coast and adjacent interior today.
In addition, isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers are expected over the central interior.
Rainfall on Monday and Tuesday
On Monday, 29 May 2023, the cold front associated with the cut-off low-pressure system will result in scattered thundershowers over the western and central interior of the country.
This will be coupled with general rain and widespread showers along the south coast.
The rainfall chart for Tuesday, 30 May 2023, shows isolated to scattered thundershowers over the western and central interior of South Africa.
Isolated showers and thundershowers are also expected over the eastern parts of the country, and scattered showers and rain over the southwestern parts of the country.
