Snowy peaks expected

2003-08-18 21:22

Marenet Jordaan

Cape Town - All eyes will be on Table Mountain on Tuesday morning after the weather service predicted snow for western Cape mountains.

But although temperatures will reach a maximum of 9° in Cape Town, chances are slim that the mountain would be capped with a snowy blanket.

Mike Williams, operational manager of the cable car, on Monday said the stormy conditions were not ideal for snow on the mountain. "We usually get a little sleet, and people get very excited about it."

The cable car was closed amid northwesterly winds of up to 80km/h and icy temperatures.

Farmers in Sutherland were warned to shelter their sheep as temperatures of below 0° were expected. Snow was expected in Sutherland, Calvinia and Springbok.

Harbour

Meanwhile, harbour tug pilots had to be airlifted by helicopter to incoming ships. Strong winds of up to 100km/h and swells of nearly 4m made it impossible for the tugs to leave the harbour.

Table Bay harbour master Captain Eddie Bremner said smaller ships and fishing vessels could find shelter behind breakwater, but the larger vessels were somewhat delayed.

In Kalk Bay and Simonstown skippers also had to seek shelter from the stormy conditions. Kalk Bay harbour master Pat Stacey said the strong northerly wind flattened palm trees in the harbour.

Another cold front

Cape weather service forecaster Steve Metcalfe said the present cold front was due to cold air blowing in from the South Pole and colliding with warmer air from the subtropical areas.

Metcalfe said weather conditions like the very cold temperatures, rain and gale force winds associated with the cold front would prevail until Wednesday.

A second, more moderate cold front was expected to hit the Western Cape on Saturday.

The good rainfall of the past week has increased the levels of the five biggest dams in the province from 56.7% to 57.7%.

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- Die Burger