Winter blast: Series of cold fronts to bring bitterly cold weekend to South Africa

It’s going to be another bitterly cold weekend for KZN’s interior with the potential of snow in Lesotho and on the southern Drakensberg mountains.

While no weather warnings have been issued for KZN or the Zululand region, a series of cold fronts are expected to make landfall in the Western Cape from Thursday, affecting much of South Africa until Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Snow in 3 provinces: What the latest cold front means for KZN and Zululand region

The Eastern, Northern and Western Capes are expected to feel the brunt of the wintry weather, including warnings being issued by the SA Weather Service (SAWS) for damaging winds, severe thunderstorms and potential flooding.

“A series of cold fronts are expected to bring scattered to widespread showers and rain over the western parts of the Western Cape from Thursday until Sunday,” said SAWS.

“The most significant cold front will reach the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon, where quick and heavy downpours are possible, with another cold front expected on Sunday.”

Four-day rainfall accumulations in the affected area of between 30-60mm are likely, reaching 70-90mm over the mountainous region of the Western Cape.

How will the cold fronts affect Zululand?

Closer to home, Richards Bay, Empangeni, Hluhluwe, Mtubatuba and Pongola can expect highs in the low-20s on Friday, with some showers, otherwise a sunny and fine weekend with highs reaching low- to mid-20s.

eShowe residents should brace for colder temperatures, as highs are due to reach just 16 on Friday with morning showers, and weekend temperatures of 20 and 19 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday respectively, but plunging to 14 on Monday with a low of 7 degrees Celsius.

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