Yesterday the SA Weather Service supplied a forecast predicting that a double-structured cold front was fast approaching Cape Town as from 10 – 12 August 2012.
This frontal system comes just as the country was recovering from the drop in the temperatures caused by the recent frontal passage (two days ago).
Last night strong to gale force north-westerly winds ahead of the front built up around the Cape Peninsula that occurred between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay that spread to Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay; and to the south-western and western interior of the Western Cape last night into this evening.
Today gale force north-westerly winds spread across the entire Western Cape Province; including the western interior of the Northern Cape Province that was sustained by a secondary frontal system that reached the Cape Peninsula this morning.
The gale force winds moderated this afternoon across the Cape Peninsula.
Dangerous fluctuations in wind speed and directions due to wind channelling (wind-shadowing) effected near mountain passes. These conditions have resulted in Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll in Hout Bay to be closed to motorists and the general public. Motorists are cautioned to exercise caution when travelling in mountain passes; and an appeal is made is made to the general public not to hike as conditions will be very dangerous until the warning has been lifted.
Today significant frontal rain over the western and south-western parts of the Western Cape Province as well as the western parts of the Northern Cape Province occurred.
Heavy falls of rain occurred this morning in places over the Cape Metropole, West Coast District, the Overberg and the Cape Winelands Districts; particularly in the mountainous areas but it was not restricted to these areas and spread to other parts of the Western Cape.
Saturation of the ground surface over the Cape Flats resulted in localized flooding due to further rising in the water table from sustained moderate rain.
Today the City’s disaster response teams assisted 5,273 persons that comprise of 1,337 households in the following areas: Phillipi, Sir Lowry’s Pass; Fish Hoek; Kraaifontein; Blackheath; Nyanga; Hout Bay; Bishop Lavis; Strand; Mfuleni and Durbanville.
Today a modified cold air behind the first frontal system was followed in short succession by even colder air behind the second front causing temperatures maximums over the western high-ground of the Western Cape and Northern Cape Provinces plummeting below 10 °C.
This very cold air spread to the eastern high-ground of the Western Cape Province with the passage of the Front. There is a high probability that a further drop in temperature behind the second front will result in snowfalls over these areas and spreads to the eastern interior later this evening.
Last night (Friday) very rough sea conditions between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas occurred that will persist overnight with waves between 4 – 6 metres spreading very quickly to Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay this morning. In addition wave heights between 6 – 9 metres south of Lamberts Bay developed around midday today (Saturday) that will subside late tomorrow (Sunday)
The South African Weather Service has issued the following weather warnings and advised the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre to take the necessary action:
· Gale force, very cold, heavy rainfall, snowfalls and very rough seas that was valid for 11 August 2012.
· The very cold conditions are expected in places over the northern high ground of the Western Cape on Sunday
· Snowfalls are expected south of Alexander Bay spreading to Durban by evening reaching high seas in excess of 6 metres between Lamberts Bay and Port Alfred moderating from the west by Sunday evening.
End
Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
SOURCE: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration and Special Projects and Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town
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