Johannesburg is expected to experience a cold but relatively stable winter weekend, with forecasters ruling out the possibility of a severe cold snap despite freezing morning temperatures expected across parts of Gauteng.
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), weather conditions over the province will follow a typical winter pattern characterised by icy mornings, mild afternoons and cooler evenings.
Temperatures in parts of Johannesburg are expected to drop to as low as 3°C on Saturday morning, with frost likely in low-lying and vulnerable areas. However, clear skies throughout most of the day are expected to allow temperatures to recover to around 18°C during the afternoon before cooling rapidly again after sunset.
While Gauteng residents prepare for a chilly but manageable weekend, attention is increasingly turning toward the Western Cape, where a much more disruptive weather system is forecast to develop from Sunday evening into Tuesday.
South African Weather Service meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela said disruptive rainfall is expected over the western parts of the Western Cape, particularly affecting Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and Overberg regions.
“Disruptive rain is expected to develop over the western parts of the Western Cape from Sunday evening into Tuesday,” said Thobela.
According to the weather service, rainfall accumulations between 100 and 200 mm are possible in some areas, increasing the risk of localised flooding and pressure on transport infrastructure and vulnerable communities.
Although current indications suggest a low likelihood of severe flooding, authorities warn that the prolonged rainfall could still result in significant disruptions on roads, within informal settlements and across low-lying communities.
The approaching system is also expected to bring very cold and windy conditions across the western interior of the country, with wind speeds ranging between 50 and 70 km/h.
Along the west and south coast, strong to gale-force winds are forecast from Sunday afternoon through to at least Tuesday night, raising concerns for marine activity and coastal operations.
“There is a high risk of very rough and choppy seas, accompanied by destructive waves, which may pose a danger to navigation at sea and coastal activities,” Thobela warned.
As the cold front progresses across the country between Sunday and Tuesday, authorities anticipate several weather-related impacts, including localised flooding, difficult driving conditions due to heavy rain and strong winds, possible transport delays, infrastructure strain and dangerous sea conditions affecting coastal shipping and operations.
Saturday Star