Predominantly sunny and warm to hot conditions currently dominate the southern African subcontinent.
However, this is set to change dramatically in the days ahead, as a cold front arrives over Western Cape at the start of the weekend, introducing cold, windy and showery conditions, which will gradually spread eastwards and northwards during the long weekend.
According to a statement issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), cooler conditions with some showers or thundershowers will eventually set in over KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng towards the end of the weekend. By contrast, Limpopo is expected to remain hot to very hot during the entire weekend.
“At the current time, southern Africa is basking in a spell of autumn warmth and sunshine, with hot to very hot conditions being experienced over parts of the Northern Cape, Limpopo as well as over neighbouring Botswana. These conditions will persist during the first half of the coming weekend,” the statement read.
The arrival of a cold front over the south-western parts of Western Cape on Friday, 7 April is expected to bring some light showers, accompanying by cooler, windy conditions to the south-western and southern coast and adjacent interior. Over the open ocean, a south-westerly swell, characterised by a long fetch as well as a long wave period, is expected to begin impacting on the south-western and southern coastline of South Africa during Friday.
Rough sea conditions over the Southern Ocean areas are expected to extend into Saturday, when spreading eastwards to include Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
“Skippers of smaller marine vessels as well as rock anglers are advised to exercise due care and caution, as the surf and wave action close inshore may be dangerous and unpredictable at times.”
Rainfall forecast for Saturday 8 April 2023. Showing isolated to scattered showers expected over the central and south eastern parts of the country. With light rain and showers along the south coast of the Western and Eastern Cape in the morning, which is expected to clear. pic.twitter.com/9cAHWNGaWJ
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) April 5, 2023
On Saturday and Sunday, windy and cool conditions will invade further over the Cape provinces, especially in the south, where showers will occur from time to time. Showers and thundershowers during this time may be heavy and disruptive over parts of the Eastern Cape coastline, especially in the region between Plettenberg Bay and East London, including the Gqeberha area.
“Bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions are expected to set in over all the mountain ranges and elevated terrain of Western and Eastern Cape. Hikers are therefore strongly advised to take care, plan well and to pack appropriate warm, rainproof clothing.”
The weekend will also see a gradual increase in thunderstorm activity over North-West, the Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), especially on Sunday and Monday. Localised, heavier falls, accompanied by hail in places, may lead disruptive weather-related incidents such as urban and river flooding.
On Monday, cooler, gusty conditions will eventually spread to include KZN, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, accompanied by heavier thunderstorms, which may become severe, especially over northern KZN and the Mpumalanga Highveld. These thunderstorms will also spread to include the southern half of Limpopo province on Monday, 10 April.
“The public is urged and encouraged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio. Updated information in this regard will regularly be available at www.weathersa.co.za as well as via the SA Weather Service Twitter account.
