Easter Weekend weather outlook
The outlook for the weekend does include rain for many of the provinces.
With the exception of localized, heavy showers still persisting along part of the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coast this morning (refer Figure 1), the majority of southern Africa is currently enjoying a welcome spell of rain-free, sunny weather today.
The Easter weekend is fast approaching and is traditionally a time when many holidaymakers pack their bags and head off to the coasts and remote parts of the country. With many folk travelling long distances, either to or from the coast, a question foremost in many people’s minds is “What weather can I expect on the way to my holiday destination?” or “Will it be rainy or windy for my seaside holiday?”
Through this media release, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) hopes to shed light on the weather prospects for the upcoming long weekend. Whilst the outlook for the weekend does include rain for many of the provinces, the important message is that early access to timely and accurate forecasts and weather-related warnings will enable one to plan ahead and not to be caught unaware or unprepared for spells of rainy or inclement weather.
Weather for today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday respectively):
Apart from localized rainfall, heavy at times, persisting today over part of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (see warning map in Figure 1), much of South Africa can expect a sunny, dry day, with daytime temperatures continuing to recover, following the spell of cloudy, cold and wet weather earlier in the week.
Tomorrow sees an upper trough starting to develop over the south-western sector of South Africa, expected to promote isolated light showers and thundershowers over the Cape provinces.
The remainder of the country is expected to remain dry, although the Lowveld of South Africa and Eswatini may see a few showers or thundershowers.
Figure 1: Impact-based (IMP-B) warnings for today. Source: SAWS.
Weekend weather for Friday through to Monday:
On Good Friday, the upper trough is expected to intensify further, resulting in the development of an extensive band of isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers over much of the central interior (Fig. 2).
Consequently, North West, Free State, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are likely to experience the return of thunderstorms, along with the risk of localised flooding and/or occurrences of hail and strong, damaging winds.
Saturday sees scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers persisting over the central provinces (Fig. 2), spreading to include the eastern and north-eastern provinces, where further significant to heavy falls may occur at places, especially over North West, Free State and Gauteng.
Sunday and Monday will see rainfall persisting over the central and eastern parts of the country (Fig. 2).
Figure 2: Rainfall probabilities for the Easter Weekend. Source: SAWS
The South African Weather Service acknowledges the unconventional naming of the low pressure that has caused devastation over KwaZulu-Natal earlier this week, however this low pressure is not expected to cause any further impacts over the country as it is forecasted to move away from South Africa.
The South African Weather Service will continue to monitor any further developments relating to this weather system and will issue subsequent updates as required.
Furthermore, the public are urged and encouraged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated information in this regard will regularly be available at www.weathersa.co.za as well as via the SA Weather Service Twitter account @SAWeatherService.
