At midday today, Friday 13 July 2012, the SA Weather Service (SAWS) provided the latest forecast to inform disaster management authorities regarding the extreme weather conditions.
The SAWS warns of weather conditions which are set to become extreme in places over the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Southern Free State and Kwazulu-Natal as from today.
The extreme conditions will cause a cut-off low pressure and cold frontal system moving across the country.
According to the forecast very cold conditions, heavy rainfall, snow that will be heavy in places and strong winds will prevail and set in over parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces this evening.
Since last night (Thursday) it was recorded that snowfalls occurred over the mountains in the south-western parts of the Western Cape.
The snow is rapidly spreading to the east to reach the eastern half of the Eastern Cape by this evening. Freezing levels are expected to drop to below 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) above sea level by this evening over the Western Cape, western and southern parts of the Northern Cape as well as the northern parts of the Eastern Cape.
The SAWS indicates that snowfall will be widespread and can be expected in areas where it has not snowed in a long time or has not snowed at all.
On Saturday, 14 July 2012 there is a likelihood that snowfall can be expected to become heavy over the north-eastern parts of the Western Cape, southern parts of the Northern Cape, northern parts of the Eastern Cape and Lesotho. The conditions will be persistent over the forecasted areas until Sunday morning, whereafter it will spread to the south-western high grounds of KwaZulu-Natal. This can cause to closure of several mountain passes over the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal and motorists are caution to seek information on the state of the mountain passes in the areas before venturing there.
There is also a possibility of heavy rains over the southern and eastern parts of the Western Cape as well as the south-western parts of the Eastern Cape this evening, and the public is warned of possible flash flooding in places.
This evening it will be bitterly cold over the interior of the Western Cape, the western and southern interior of the Northern Cape and the western interior of the Eastern Cape this evening with temperatures below 11 degrees Celsius; and the cold front will spread to include the southern and eastern Free State and the Eastern Cape interior on Saturday persisting over the said areas until Sunday.
The mild conditions that are currently being experienced over the north-eastern provinces, i.e. Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, will persist until this evening. The cold front will start moving across these areas during Saturday and Sunday whereafter it will become cold and windy in Gauteng.
The SAWS is concerned regarding the expected development of a south-easterly swell along the Cape south coast tomorrow. It is expected that total seas will be about 6 metres and bays along the south coast that are normally sheltered, would be quite vulnerable, given this scenario.
Although the weather warning regarding seas is not applicable to the City extremely cold conditions will be experienced in the Cape Peninsula and the City’s disaster response teams are on a heightened state of alertness and awareness.
The National Joint Operations Centre (NatJOC) and the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) were advised yesterday regarding the extreme weather conditions.
An appeal is made to Capetonians to exercise extreme caution during these weather conditions and to give heed to the following advisories:
· slow down and maintain safe following distances on roadways
· to dress warm if you are out in the cold to protect yourself against the weather elements
· when you are sick and especially when a person contracted influenza (flu) to consult with the your local clinic, hospital or private medical practitioner for medical attention
· to keep a watchful eye on open flames fires and to extinguish it before going to bed; including candles, lamps and paraffin stoves
· The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre remains is on high alert together with its supporting disaster response agencies and public safety authorities.
Any emergency and/or distress call can be reported to the 107 emergency number from a Telkom line in the event life or property is endangered in order to be transferred to the nearest relevant emergency service provider. Cellphone users need to dial 021 480 7700. The sooner you phone, the sooner help will arrive.
Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions can be reported to the City’s Customer Contact Centre at 0860 10 30 89. Enquiries and/or complaints regarding burst and leaking water mains, faulty and leaking water meters, blocked and overflowing sewers can also be sent via SMS to 31373. Enquiries and/or complaints regarding electricity fault reporting can be sent via SMS to 31220.
The City’s Transport Information Centre can be contacted on 0800 65 64 63 regarding delays on roadways and deviations.
End
Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
Wilfred Schrevian Evan Solomons-Johannes
Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects
Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre
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