A severe cut-off low-pressure system is striking South Africa with disruptive rainfall, damaging winds, plunging temperatures, and mountain snow across multiple provinces, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The weather system developed over the western interior and is moving eastward across the country, prompting multiple Yellow Level 4 weather warnings from forecasters.
Western Cape and Northern Cape Face Flooding and Gales
The Western Cape and Northern Cape are experiencing the initial impact of the severe weather, with cold, wet, and windy conditions taking hold. According to SAWS, temperatures in high-lying areas have dropped significantly, with maximum readings remaining below 10°C in several locations. Forecasters issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall over the Overberg and Garden Route districts, where rising water threatens roads, settlements, and traffic flow. A separate Yellow Level 4 warning covers damaging winds across Namakwa in the Northern Cape, alongside the Cape Winelands, Central Karoo, and Little Karoo. SAWS reported that strong to damaging interior winds are accompanying gale-force conditions along the south-western and southern coastal stretches.
Severe Thunderstorms Threaten the Central and Eastern Interior
As the weather system tracks eastward, temperatures are falling across the central and eastern interior alongside scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers. According to SAWS, windy conditions are affecting the Free State, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and eastern parts of the North West. Forecasters issued a severe thunderstorm signal for the Free State, North West, and Gauteng, with risks shifting toward Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and southern Limpopo. These storms bring heavy downpours, strong winds, excessive lightning, and hail.
Snowfall and Dangerous Coastal Conditions
High-lying regions are recording winter-like conditions amid the autumn system, with SAWS noting that snowfall is possible over the Drakensberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape and the high-lying areas of Lesotho. Motorists traversing mountain passes face rapidly deteriorating visibility and hazardous driving conditions. Along the coastline, SAWS issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds and waves between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay, where waves are reaching heights of 4.5 to 5.5 meters and threatening local navigation, ports, and coastal infrastructure.
Related reading