Cape Town – As Gauteng prepares for the coldest night of the year, residents and emergency services are on high alert amid forecasts of extreme weather conditions.
The SA Weather Service (SAWS) has issued severe warnings across multiple provinces as a powerful cold front sweeps through the country, bringing with it plummeting temperatures and hazardous conditions.
According to Gauteng Weather, temperatures are set to plummet on Monday night, with Vereeniging expected to drop to -6ºC, Johannesburg to -4ºC, and Pretoria to -2ºC.
“Coldest night so far in 2024 expected in Gauteng this evening, due to powerful cold front!,” it posted on the X platform.
🔴 BREAKING: COLDEST NIGHT SO FAR IN 2024 EXPECTED IN GAUTENG THIS EVENING, DUE TO POWERFUL COLD FRONT!!!
🥶🥶🥶Vereeniging -6°C
🥶🥶Johannesburg -4°C
🥶Pretoria -2°C— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) July 8, 2024
Tuesday morning is anticipated to be the coldest of 2024 so far, with widespread frost expected before temperatures begin to rise.
Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow level 2 warning for disruptive snow in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State, potentially leading to traffic disruptions and loss of livestock.
An Orange level 6 warning has been issued for damaging coastal winds and storm surges, particularly impacting coastal infrastructure from Alexander Bay to Durban.
⛅️Weather and severe weather outlook for today, 08 July 2024.#saws#weatheroutlook#southafricanweather pic.twitter.com/PSDzeqMDEy
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) July 8, 2024
In addition, warnings include a Yellow level 3 alert for storm surges along the Western Cape coastline, and an Orange level 6 alert for damaging winds in the Eastern Cape, posing risks to settlements and infrastructure.
The advisory from SAWS advises the public and farmers to expect heavy downpours, snowfall in parts of the Northern Cape, North-West, Free State, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape, along with strong winds and rough seas.
Emergency services in Johannesburg are on heightened alert to manage potential emergencies arising from the severe weather conditions, urging residents to take necessary precautions and avoid unnecessary travel during this period of hazardous weather.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
