Big freeze set to hit

2009-05-27 22:40

Marlene Neethling

Cape Town - Capetonians should bring out the heaters and blankets this weekend, since icy weather and widespread snow are expected in the high-lying parts of the Western Cape and southern parts of the Northern Cape.

The South African Weather Service has released four warnings about the cold front which will hit the Western Cape on Friday.

Warnings of icy weather, snow in high-lying areas such as Sutherland and Ceres, gale-force winds and stormy conditions at sea were released.

"Capetonians can say goodbye to sunny weather," said Candice McKechnie, a climatologist.

The Weather Service's Keith Moir says gale-force winds of up to 65km/h can be expected along the coast between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay.

Swells of between 5m and 7m are predicted on Saturday for the entire Western Cape coastline.

Icy temperatures

McKechnie said, however, that Capetonians can expect less rain than with the previous cold front two weeks ago, when up to 50mm of rain fell within 24 hours in certain places.

"This cold front will bring icy temperatures, snow, and a gale-force wind, but not much heavy rain. Anywhere between 5mm and 10mm is predicted in the province on Friday," she said.

The chance for rain from Saturday to Sunday is between 30% and 60% in parts of the province.

Rain is also predicted as far north as Springbok and as far east as George on the south coast and in the Karoo.

However, Moir said that heavy rain of up to 50mm could be expected in the mountainous areas.

Temperatures will drop k below 10° in certain places in the Karoo and Northern Cape on Friday. The maximum temperature for the entire Western Cape will be below 15°.

According to McKechnie, the rain will start to taper off by Saturday, as the cold front moves toward the Eastern Cape, but temperatures will still be below 20°.

- Die Burger