POLOKWANE – Polokwane residents should brace for a sharp drop in temperatures and a good chance of rain from Thursday, as yet another powerful cut-off low makes landfall in South Africa.

This weather system is part of a series of cold fronts to sweep across the country over the past few weeks, bringing freezing temperatures, strong winds, and wet conditions to several provinces.

According to Vox Weather, scattered showers will move over the central interior on Wednesday and extend eastward into Limpopo, Gauteng and Mpumalanga by Thursday.

Storm Report SA adds that satellite images show open-cell stratocumulus clouds, which is a classic sign for showers, gusty winds and a steep temperature decline.

A cut-off low will also develop and may bring snowfall to higher-lying areas and thundershowers across parts of the central and eastern interior.

Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts partly cloudy and cool to cold conditions across Limpopo, with isolated to scattered showers expected from Thursday afternoon

According to their forecast, there is a 60% chance of showers and thundershowers in Polokwane and parts of south-west Limpopo on Thursday and a 30% chance of showers on Friday.

Temperature breakdown

Weather sites are forecasting varying temperatures, with most suggesting highs in the low to mid-teens for Polokwane on Thursday and Friday.

Accuweather’s forecast states residents can expect maximum temperatures of 17°C on Thursday with a 25% chance of rain and 18°C on Friday with a 2% chance of rain

The SAWS forecasts highs of 15°C and 19°C on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

MSN weather, on the other hand, shows a steep drop in temperature on Thursday, with a high of 13°C and 15°C on Friday, with rain expected for most of the day on Thursday.

Conditions are expected to improve from Saturday with highs in the low-to-mid twenties and clear skies across Polokwane as the system moves east.

Elsewhere in the province, areas such as Mokopane will also see a drop in temperature with highs of 17°C and 20°C, respectively and a 90% chance of rain on Thursday.

In Tzaneen, maximum temperatures of 19°C and 24°C are expected with a 55% chance of rain on Thursday.

Why are cut-off lows frequent in SA?

Cut-off lows are common in South Africa, especially in autumn, winter and spring.

These systems form when a pocket of cold air breaks away, or “cuts off”, from the main flow of westerly winds high up in the atmosphere.

Once detached, they tend to move slowly and unpredictably, often bringing widespread rain, cold temperatures, and strong winds. As they linger over an area for longer than typical weather systems, they can result in heavy downpours and even localised flooding.

Their frequency in South Africa is largely due to the country’s position between warm and cold air masses, creating the perfect conditions for these systems to form and intensify.