While residents may be looking forward to spring, summer and warmer weather in general, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the Western Cape is still experiencing cold, wet and windy conditions as a result of a series of cold fronts moving through the province.
Also read: Update: Properties in Western Cape hammered by spring tide waves
The SAWS stated that conducive weather conditions, accompanied by a spring tide event, resulted in a positive storm surge that caused widespread damage along the country’s coastal areas over the weekend.
In a media statement explaining the inclement weather, SAWS elaborated on the science behind the weather phenomena.
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‘Tides are long-period waves affected by the gravitational force of the sun, moon and earth’s rotation. The timing and peak of tides are influenced by the wind and atmospheric pressure,’ SAWS said.
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‘Spring tide occurs every two weeks during the new and full moon and this causes high tides to be higher than usual.’
The weather service added that spring tides brought more water up onto the coast, possibly resulting in coastal flooding and intense near-shore hazards like rip currents.
Several weather alerts were issued leading up to the weekend, including warnings of damaging waves along the Western Cape coastline.
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Also read:
One death confirmed as Western Cape spring tide waves caused havoc
Picture: Cynthia Cruickshank / Facebook
