Update: Request Weather Observation: First Real Winter Cold Front (7 - 10 April 2012)

Image: ER24 - Stormy weather in Cape Town.Beach road Strand as waves crash over road. (Click on image for larger view.)

Update and overview:

First and foremost the SAWDOS would like to thank the public and all the SAWDOS real time observers for keeping the SAWDOS informed of what is happening where with regard to weather and disasters in South Africa. The SAWDOS receivedreally valuable information, images and real time reports this Easter Weekend. A big thank you to all those who made the time to send information to the SAWDOS. Your participation and commitment is highly appreciated!!

The cold front made landfall in Cape Town on the 6 of April 2012. The SAWDOS received images of the cold front approaching Noordhoek at around 09h44 SAST. Click HERE to view.

Further reports (to many to mention individual names) of the cold front and real time weather updates were received via the SAWDOS Facebook Group pages. Click HERE to view.

Reports of thunderstorms in the Western Cape/Eastern Cape and Gauteng areas were received. Click HERE to view. The SAWDOS Facebook Group and Twitter was also swarming with reports and images of thunderous weather in areas of South Africa.

The SAWDOS Twitter page also contained reports of thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain, strong wind, and heavy swells.  Click HERE to view.

In summary the first real cold front resulted in heavy rain in areas of Cape Town. Moderate rain in the Overberg and Southern Cape areas.  Light rainfall in parts of the Eastern Cape. Rainfall varied between 1 - 45 mm in areas for 6 -7 April 2012.

A strong westerly wind, high swells and cold conditions were also experienced and reported in many areas of the Western, Southern and Eastern Cape. A westerly windspeed of 40.7 km/h gusting at 60.5 km/h was measured in Heiderand, Mossel Bay yesterday afternoon.

Stormy weather conditions in Cape Town was reported by ER24 yesterday afternoon (8 April 2012) with Beach road Strand flooded as waves crashed over the road. Probable cause of high tide, storm surge and strong wind.

Power outages were also experienced in parts of Mossel Bay yesterday evening. Major power failures occured at Groot Brak River and Glentana. Technicians were hard at work to restore power to these areas.

And I leave the best for last....SNOWFALLS IN THE WESTERN CAPE AND NORTHERN CAPE!!!  The SAWDOS alerted the public earlier of possible snow falling on the higher mountains. Click HERE to view. Confirmation now received of snow falling at the Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve and in the Sutherland area. The Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve reported via Facebook: "About 10-15cm snow at Groothoek Kloof. Will let you know in the morning if it's still there or if we had rain during the night. This snow is 20 days before the earliest snow we ever had! 2012 is a record breaking year!"

This cold front really made for interesting weather observations, setting a "new record" for early snowfalls in the Western and Northern Cape. It is quite interesting to note that the SA Weather Service did not issue any warning for snowfalls on their live web-page for National Warnings.

The SAWDOS is still keeping and eye on the system and will inform our readers of any further developments. Please report any heavy rain possible flooding, gale force winds, snowfall, rough seas and wave heights to the SAWDOS.  Send information to:

SMS, MMS messages to: 076 251 3482 (text messages only)

Email photos and information by clicking HERE.

SAWDIS Twitter by clicking HERE.