Whip out your winter woollies, put on thick socks and boots and stock up on firewood — it is going to be cold and wet in the entire country this week.
The South African Weather Service said on Tuesday a strong cold front was moving in over the interior with snow already being reported in the Western Cape.
Forecaster Bransby Bulo also predicted snow over the Eastern Cape later on Tuesday, as well as Lesotho. He warned livestock farmers in these areas to ensure that their animals were safe and warm.
There was an 80% chance of rain over the southern Cape between George and Port Elizabeth, Bulo said.
In the eastern parts of the interior, a 60% chance of showers and thundershowers existed on Wednesday, with very cold conditions expected.
Bulo said the expected maximum temperature for Johannesburg on Wednesday was 11°C.
On Thursday, it would be marginally warmer with an expected temperature of between 13 and 14°C.
The weather service’s website warned of very cold, windy conditions.
”Very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected on the high ground of the Western and Northern Cape provinces, spreading to the Eastern Cape high ground, south-eastern Free State and Lesotho,” the warning reads.
”Snowfalls are expected over the Swartberg mountains with heavy snow over the Eastern Cape high ground as well as Lesotho in the evening.”
Rough seas and gale force winds were expected along the coast on Wednesday and Thursday.
Bulo said the cold weather would start clearing on Friday. He said although this was a very strong cold front, it was not uncommon for this time of year. – Sapa