/ 2 October 2006

Weather warning for Western Cape

Parts of the Western Cape can expect heavy rain and snow on Monday, Weather SA warned on Monday.

”Heavy falls of rain are possible in the Overberg, Breede River Valley, Ruens, Garden Route and the Little Karoo,” said Weather SA.

”Very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected on the high-ground areas of the Western Cape province and western parts of the Northern Cape province.”

Weather SA said bad weather was forecast for other areas on Tuesday and Wednesday.

”Snowfalls are likely on the southern mountain ranges of the Western Cape province later today [Monday] and on the high ground of Eastern Cape and Lesotho on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.”

This included heavy rain predicted along the south and south east coasts, Transkei and southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, and ”very cold conditions” in the interior of the Eastern Cape, Lesotho and the southern Free State.

Farmers have been warned of the probability of frost over the north-eastern Free State and the south eastern part of the North West province on Wednesday.

A significant drop in temperatures was also expected over the central interior later on Tuesday. While these weather systems were expected to move out of the country on Wednesday, further rain was expected over the eastern parts on Thursday.

Weather SA said that the present weather system could cause further damage to the already flood-damaged Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. Residents in these areas have been warned to monitor regular weather updates. – Sapa