WITH winter storms raging in the Western and Eastern Capes, snow on KwaZulu-Natal’s Drakensberg mountain range and gusty winds across the province, tonight (Monday) is forecast to be the coldest night since the inception of winter.

A series of cold fronts with a northward extent in propagation are expected to affect most of South Africa, except for northernmost areas like Musina.

ALSO READ: Lower winter rainfall to impact agriculture, water storage

This will lead to the persistence of very cold conditions with strong, damaging winds and disruptive rain and snowfalls over higher ground, which may lead to damage to vulnerable areas.

While heavy storms hit the Western Cape from yesterday (Sunday) due to the passage of one these cold fronts, which will affect much of South Africa, overnight minimum temperatures will plunge to below zero degrees Celsius for the greater interior parts of South Africa.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued level 6 warning of damaging winds, disruptive rain and heavy snowfalls that are expected, especially over higher ground including the southwestern parts of KZN.

Ground frost may be expected overnight in most areas with below 0C.

It should be noted that cold conditions are experienced after the cold front has passed.

Weather models’ prognosis of overnight minimum temperatures are showing the negative minimum temperatures in the interior of South Africa (including western and southwestern KZN) that will be experienced after the windy and disruptive rain or snowfalls have preceded the frontal passage.

ALSO READ: High alert for KZN with strong wind forecast

The northward extent in position of the cold front and the southwesterly cold air being advected from the South Atlantic (cold Benguela current) exacerbates the cold conditions experienced.

Daytime maximum temperatures will remain suppressed into the upper teens for today and tomorrow in the affected KZN areas.

Precautions and impacts

In light of the above, SAWS has issued warnings. Civilians must ensure they keep themselves warm overnight to avoid cold-induced illnesses such as the risk of hypothermia.

Farmers are advised to water their temperature-sensitive plants overnight to avoid frost damage and ensure sheltering of vulnerable animals to avoid or minimise losses.

The disruptive rainfall may result in flooding in places. Some of the possible impacts noted include damaging winds to unstable settlements and infrastructure damage such as mud-based and make-shift houses.

As also noted by SAWS, these damaging winds may lead to injuries caused from flying debris.

In addition, there can be loss of blown-away valuables, and accidents caused by loss of control of unbalanced or unstable vehicles is
possible.

There is also likelihood of localised runway fires. Avoid starting unnecessary fires or sleeping with lit fires overnight.

In areas that may experience heavy snow conditions, there is likelihood of disruption of traffic flow due to icy conditions and road closures, e.g. in mountain passes.

All the mentioned weather conditions may impact on traffic travel times too.

KZN citizens are advised to take heed and follow advisories from disaster management authorities and adhere to SAWS alerts and warnings.

Dr Marshall L Mdoka is a senior lecturer and meteorologist in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Zululand.

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