A series of cold fronts hitting the province from Sunday until Friday next week

Western Cape Disaster Management Centre prepares for a series of cold fronts hitting the province from Sunday until Friday next week.

The Western Cape can expect a series of cold fronts with adverse weather conditions starting this weekend and continuing into most of next week, Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said today. The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) was briefed this morning by the South African Weather Services (SAWS) on the approaching weather systems.

The following weather warnings have been issued by SAWS:

• A Level 4 for heavy rain and potential flooding over the western parts of the Western Cape on Sunday.
• A Level 6 warning for high winds of between 80 and 90km/h over the western and south-western parts of the Western Cape on Sunday.
• A level 4 warning for winds of between 50 and 70km/h for the Namakwa district as well as the central and eastern parts of the Western Cape.
• A Level 6 warning for waves between 6 and 8 metres along the coastline between Alexander Bay and Cape Agulhas from Sunday, spreading to Plettenberg Bay by the afternoon.
• A Level 4 warning for disruptive snowfall over the mountains of the Western Cape as well as southern high ground of the Namakwa District on Sunday.

Minister Bredell said the PDMC is on standby, and the various municipal district disaster centres are ready to be activated if needed. Emergency, rescue and social services are prepared to respond to any eventualities. Provincial departments are represented at the PDMC and will be ready to provide support if needed.

The Department of Water and Sanitation said catchments and dam levels are being monitored closely and regular updates will be made to the PDMC as the weather systems develop.

Residents are urged to stay warm and safe. “With the end of the school holidays many people may be travelling home. We ask residents to please be extremely cautious on the roads. Due to the combination of high winds, heavy rain, and snow falls over high mountains expected, we urge residents to please reconsider travel and outdoor activities next week and avoid unnecessary travel. Strong winds, combined with rain saturated soil increases the risks for trees and tall structures being toppled,” Minister Bredell cautioned.

Various government services may be affected by the inclement weather and residents are asked to please stay informed by monitoring the latest weather reports through trusted local news platforms, radio alerts, and your local municipality’s social media pages. Services are also being activated to support the vulnerable and those impacted by the inclement weather,” the Minister concluded.