Brrr! LEVEL 5 weather warning: Rain and up to 15cm of snow for E. Cape

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Yellow Level 4 weather warning for snow and an Orange Level 5 warning for rain in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, 18 May. 22

HIGH-LEVEL WEATHER WARNINGS FOR EASTERN CAPE

The weather warning is valid from 17:00 until 23:59 on Friday, 20 May, according to SAWS.

The inclement weather is the result of a combination of a cut-off low and a ridging high-pressure system, which is expected to significantly decrease the daytime temperatures in the province and bring a good chance of showers and thundershowers.

“Snowfall is expected over the high-lying areas, with accumulations of 4 to 15 centimetres over the southern Drakensberg, where it is expected to be disruptive,” said the weather service.

The potential impacts of the snowfall include:

• The cutting off of some communities that will be temporarily inaccessible.
• The possible closure of major mountain passes.
• The potential loss of livestock and crops.
• Localised damage to infrastructure.
• Temporary road closures due to snow accumulation, rockfalls and icy conditions.
• Traffic disruptions.

The Eastern Cape will not be facing the cold weather alone. On Tuesday, the SAWS put out a detailed statement that said the cut-off low would bring cold and wet weather to large parts of South Africa from Thursday into the weekend.

The service also issued an Orange Level 5 warning for the province, on Wednesday, which will be valid for the entire day on Friday.

The heavy rainfall is expected to drench a broad area of the Eastern Cape and it is the result of the same weather system that is expected to bring the snowfall.

Flooding of settlements, roads and bridges is a potential impact. The weather also poses a danger to lives due to the fast-flowing streams that are sure to follow the rain.