/ 20 May 2007

Big chill hits SA

Widespread frost is expected over the central interior and Highveld of Gauteng from Tuesday until Thursday morning, the South African Weather Service said on Sunday.

Very cold conditions were expected to persist over the central interior until Wednesday.

The service said in its daily forecast that heavy falls of rain were expected between George and East London and the adjacent interior.

”Very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected over the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape provinces and western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, but [it will be] very cold and windy over the Free State and southern parts of North West and the Highveld areas of Mpumalanga and Gauteng.”

Snowfalls were expected on the high ground areas of the Western and Northern Cape as well as the western and northern high ground of the Eastern Cape, where heavy falls of snow were expected.

Gale-force westerly to south-westerly winds (65km/h) were expected east of Port Elizabeth, spreading to Richards Bay.

Meanwhile, very rough seas with waves in excess of 5m were expected to develop between the Orange River mouth to Richards Bay, moderating from the west. — Sapa