Brrrrrace yourselves...

2008-08-28 22:59

Shantel Moses and Melissa Nel

Cape Town - Storms, snow and seven-metre swells... that's what is in store for the Western Cape this weekend.

The South African Weather Service on Thursday predicted a cold, wet and windy weekend.

"It is expected to be cloudy on Saturday afternoon with an 80% chance of rain," said Keith Moir.

He said rains would be especially heavy in the Overberg, the Winelands, the Peninsula and western areas.

"The heaviest downpours are expected on Saturday night with more or less 50mm of rain."

Snow is expected on Sunday over mountains in the high lying areas.

Moir said strong winds of up to 65km/h were expected on the southern side of Sea Point and winds of up to 90km/h on the West Coast.

But by Sunday the wind should start dying down.

Moir warned of very rough sea conditions, with swells of up to seven metres.

Residents get ready

Residents of several informal settlements began preparations on Thursday for the weekend's expected rain.

Ladys Socenywa, 30, of Sweet Home in Philippi said they have to cover their roofs with canvas sheets every winter.

"[But]the canvases don't cover all the holes in the roof. We have to use a spade to scoop out the water that comes in."

Residents of Brown's Farm in Philippi have already dug ditches to try to keep the water from their corrugated iron houses.

"Fortunately I received a large canvas to cover my roof from my father two weeks ago," said Primrose Balihtlo, 32.

"I just hope that the ditch I made outside is big enough to prevent the water from coming into my house."

Probably the only people looking forward to the weekend's weather are farmers.

"Rain falls from heaven and it doesn't get better than that," said Viljee Loubser from Welgegund farm near Durbanville.

The rain is essential for wheat crops.

"This month was a bit too warm and it is too dry for winter," said Nollie Stofberg, who farms with grapes and citrus on Swartwalle farm near Rawsonville.

The soil needs to be moist and Stofberg hopes it will keep raining until the end of September.

- Die Burger