Update:
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has increased its Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rains to Orange Level 6 ahead of the incoming inclement weather forecasted for Sunday, reports Cape {town} Etc.
‘A cut-off low pressure system is expected to bring windy and cooler conditions with scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms over the Western Cape on Sunday into Monday,’ warned SAWS.
’24-hour rainfall accumulation of 50 to 80mm is expected over the Cape Winelands, City of Cape Town and Overberg Districts, with 90 to 120mm over the mountainous regions due to orographic uplift.’
According to the weather service, severe thunderstorms with large amounts of small hail is also possible.
In preparation for incoming stormy weather, SAWS also issued an additional Yellow Level 2 and Orange Level 5 weather warning for damaging wind and waves.
As a result of the cut-off low pressure system, the weather service warned that ‘westerly to north-westerly winds of 40 to 60kph, gusting 70 to 80kph, can be expected between Hondeklip Bay and Cape Agulhas on Sunday morning, turning south-westerly from the afternoon into Monday morning.
‘A similar wind direction change can be expected along the south coast, however, wind strengths are expected to reach 50 to 70kph while gusting 85 to 100kph between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay during the same period.’
SAWS added that winds are forecasted to moderate along the south coast towards Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the coast between Hondeklip Bay and Plettenberg Bay can expect waves of southerly to south-westerly direction to reach heights of 4 to 5.5 metres during this period.
‘The combination of strong winds and waves may lead to rough and choppy sea conditions,’ concluded SAWS.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow, Level 4 weather warning for disruptive rain for large parts of the Western Cape on Sunday, 27 October that will continue until Monday morning, 28 October, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Areas that will be affected include Bergrivier, Breede Valley, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, City of Cape Town, Drakenstein, Langeberg, Overstrand, Saldanha Bay, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Swellendam, Theewaterskloof and Witzenberg.
The disruptive rains could potentially lead to the flooding of roads and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure over the Cape Winelands, City of Cape Town, Overberg and southern parts of the West Coast districts.
Additionally, 24-hour rainfall accumulation of 60mm to 80mm is expected over the Cape Winelands, City of Cape Town, Overberg and southern parts of West Coast districts.
Over mountainous regions, 90mm to 120mm rainfall accumulation are expected due to ‘orographic uplift’.
Due to wind and rainfall, some transport routes may be affected due to fallen trees.
The warning has also stated that ‘severe thunderstorms with large amounts of small hail’ are also a possibility.
The flooding of roads, low-lying bridges, formal and informal settlements, damage to property, the temporary cut-off of small communities, the disruption to essential services have all been listed as possible impacts of the disruptive rain by the SAWS.
Residents have been advised to be cautious on roads, prepare for possible flood conditions, avoid crossing rivers and obey instructions from disaster management that will be relayed on radio or television.
⚠️ Weather Alert ⚠️
The South African Weather Service has issued a Disruptive Rainfall Alert for large parts of the Western Cape, starting Sunday, 27 October 2024. pic.twitter.com/2tVt0fY8r1
— Stellenbosch Municipality (@StellMun) October 25, 2024
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