The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a strong weather alert as a series of intense cold fronts are expected to affect parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape from Thursday evening through to Sunday. The public, including small-scale farmers and transport operators, have been advised to prepare for very cold, wet, and windy weather, along with possible snowfall and minor flooding in certain areas.
According to SAWS, the cold fronts will bring a significant drop in daytime temperatures, with some areas expected to remain below 10°C. Wind speeds of up to 30 km/h will blow over the western and central interior of the Western Cape, extending into the southern parts of the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape.
The impact will not be limited to coastal areas. “These conditions are likely to spread to the western escarpment of the Namakwa District as well as the eastern interior of the Western Cape over the weekend. In addition, light snowfalls are possible over the mountain peaks of the Western Cape and the southern parts of Namakwa,” SAWS said in a public advisory issued on Tuesday.
The approaching cold fronts are expected to cause several days of scattered to widespread showers and rain across the region, starting late Wednesday night and continuing until Sunday. The most significant cold front will reach the south-western parts of the Cape by Friday afternoon. This system is expected to bring quick, heavy downpours that could result in daily rainfall totals of between 20 and 35 millimetres. In mountainous regions, rainfall may reach up to 50 millimetres.
Although rainfall may ease slightly on Saturday, with totals expected between 5 and 10 millimetres, another cold front is predicted to make landfall early Sunday morning. This second system is forecast to bring an additional 10 to 20 millimetres of rain to the south-western Cape. With already saturated soils from earlier rain, even modest new rainfall could lead to runoff, localised flooding, and other related hazards.
“Rain-on-rain conditions combined with saturated soils will lead to minor impacts, with a low likelihood of more significant impacts,” SAWS explained. The weather agency further warned of the potential for flooding on roads and in both formal and informal settlements. Fast-flowing water in low-lying areas, particularly over bridges and near rivers, could pose a threat to life and property. Mudslides and rockfalls are also a possibility, especially in steep or mountainous terrain.
Motorists are urged to take extreme caution, as the expected rain may lead to major disruptions in traffic flow, extended travel times, and potential damage to road infrastructure. Communities in vulnerable locations have also been warned to prepare for potential service interruptions. SAWS stated that essential services such as water and electricity supply may be affected by the expected conditions.
The advisory comes as Western Cape farmers and livestock owners are already struggling with cold and wet weather conditions. SAWS has called on small stock farmers to make the necessary arrangements to protect their animals from exposure to the cold, especially in areas where snow and icy winds may occur. The combination of rain, wind, and low temperatures could lead to illness and loss of livestock if protective measures are not taken in time.
Residents in both the Western and Northern Cape are urged to stay updated on weather warnings, prepare for possible outages, and avoid unnecessary travel during the peak of the stormy period. Community leaders and emergency services have been placed on high alert to respond to any incidents of flooding, road closures, or storm-related emergencies.
As the Western Cape continues to face ongoing winter rainfall systems, this series of cold fronts highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure and communities across both urban and rural areas. Local municipalities are working closely with the South African Weather Service and disaster management teams to monitor the evolving situation and issue warnings if conditions escalate.
With more rain expected in the coming days, citizens are encouraged to report blocked stormwater drains, stay off flooded roads, and keep emergency contact numbers nearby. While the cold, wet weather is part of the usual winter pattern in the Cape provinces, the intensity and frequency of storms this season are drawing increased attention from authorities and environmental observers alike.
