South Africans brace for TWO cold fronts - and SNOW

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South Africans are being urged to brace for a week of wild weather as two consecutive cold fronts are expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, snow, and dangerous sea conditions, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned.

The first, less intense cold front will make landfall over the Western Cape on Monday, 19 May, setting the stage for a more severe system arriving on Tuesday.

The second cold front is expected to sweep across much of the country through Wednesday, 21 May, with impacts likely lasting until Friday morning, 23 May.

“Persistent and continuous rainy conditions may lead to localised floods, particularly in areas with poor drainage and low-lying regions,” SAWS said in a statement.

⚠️ Widespread weather impacts expected

The stormy conditions will be accompanied by westerly to north-westerly winds averaging 55-65km/h, with gusts up to 75km/h expected along the coastal regions from Alexander Bay to Plettenberg Bay.

Snowfall is forecast over high-lying areas as freezing levels drop considerably, while daytime temperatures across the central and eastern parts of South Africa are expected to plummet starting late on Tuesday.

SAWS has issued warnings for the following potential impacts:

Flooding in low-lying urban and rural areas
Damage to infrastructure, including power lines and roads
Uprooted trees and travel disruptions
High risks to livestock, particularly small stock
Gale-force winds and rough seas, posing threats to small vessels and maritime activities
Abnormal wave heights of up to 7 metres along the southern coastline

📍 Areas most affected:

Western Cape
Northern Cape
Eastern Cape interior
Namakwa District
Southern coastline

SAWS has advised residents to stay indoors where possible, secure outdoor furniture and structures, and avoid non-essential travel.

Farmers are especially urged to protect vulnerable livestock against exposure.

“Very cold conditions, heavy rainfall, snowfalls, strong to gale-force winds and very rough seas can be expected,” SAWS warned.

Coastal residents and shipping operators are being cautioned to monitor weather alerts closely, as wave periods of 10 seconds and sea swells of up to 7 metres are forecast for Wednesday.

🧊 Cold air to linger

The wintry blast will not be short-lived.

According to SAWS, frigid conditions will extend beyond the Western Cape into the central and eastern interior from Tuesday evening, with icy mornings and sub-zero wind chills expected through Friday morning.