Cold front alert: Rain and wind expected across South Africa this week
South African Weather Service show fine and stable conditions across most of the country at the start of the week, with rain and colder temperatures expected to move in from the west and south by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo Independent Newspapers
South Africa is set to enjoy mostly settled winter skies to start the week, with no severe weather alerts in place, according to the latest updates from the South African Weather Service.
Fine and partly cloudy conditions will dominate much of the interior, providing a brief window of tranquil weather before a series of cold fronts begin to influence coastal areas.
From Tuesday, the weather begins to shift as a cold front moves in from the Atlantic, affecting the Western Cape first. Cloud cover will increase, and rainfall probabilities will rise to 30% in parts of the Northern Cape, Prieska and De Aar and up to 40% along the far southwest coast, including Sutherland and surrounding areas.
Cooler temperatures will spread inland, accompanied by stronger winds reaching up to 40 km/h along exposed coastal and interior regions.
By Wednesday, July 2, the front is expected to intensify. Scattered showers are likely along the Western and Southern Cape, with rainfall probabilities climbing to 60% in regions like Worcester and parts of the Overberg. Inland, 30% chance of isolated showers could extend towards the central Karoo and southern interior, affecting towns such as Graaff-Reinet and Beaufort West.
The rest of the country, particularly Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, will remain mostly fine and cold, with only a 10% chance of isolated light rain or drizzle in the northeast. Morning fog patches may develop in low-lying areas, prompting caution for early commuters.
Along the Indian Ocean coastline, including Durban and Richards Bay, conditions will remain cool and windy from Tuesday onward, with isolated showers possible midweek and winds forecast to reach up to 40 km/h.
These strong coastal winds may result in choppy seas and pose challenges for small vessels and beachgoers.
Despite the developing cold fronts, no severe impact-based warnings have been issued for the early part of the week.
However, residents in the Western Cape and along the south coast are advised to prepare for wet and windy conditions from midweek, as the approaching systems could impact travel plans and outdoor activities.
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