Very cold, windy and wet in the Cape this weekend while warm windy and dusty over the eastern parts

Updated: 12 August 2004

The south-western and southern Cape is still recovering from last weekend’s flood that occurred when a low pressure system was sitting over the Cape while a series of frontal systems were passing through this area. It was not long ago when significant snow fell spreading to the southern Drakensberg.

Another series of frontal systems associated with the upper air trough is expected to pass though the south-western Cape this weekend. These systems will cause very cold and wet conditions that will be accompanied by gale to strong gale-force winds due to the steep pressure gradient that will be caused by the low pressure system which will be positioned south of the Cape on Saturday, 14 August 2004. Although the system seems to be moving rather fast, the freezing levels will be very low with the availability of moisture, snowfalls are expected to set in from the west later on Saturday. Bearing in mind that the ground is still saturated in some areas around the Cape, even moderate rain might result to local flooding over flat areas.

Strong winds are expected over the central parts of the country tomorrow, Friday 13 August 2004, and Saturday 14 August 2004. Most areas will tend to be windy and dusty; fires will also spread easily under these conditions. People are advised to be cautious.