Stormy weather is expected on Christmas Day in most parts of South Africa.
STORMY WEATHER EXPECTED ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN THESE PARTS OF SA
The SA Weather Services (SAWS) said a weak cold front along the south coast of the country and a surface high-pressure system will cause cloudy and cooler conditions with light rain along the Western Cape south coast and the Eastern Cape coastline on Monday and Tuesday.
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“Ahead of these systems, a low-pressure over Botswana and an upper-air system will cause scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers over the Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo from Sunday onwards, when local heavy rainfall and cooler conditions are possible, particularly on Christmas and Day of Goodwill.”
SAWS
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HEAVIER AND MORE WIDESPREAD RAINFALL IS EXPECTED ON MONDAY
The SAWS furthermore said although isolated severe thunderstorms may initially be possible over the central and south-eastern the atmosphere will eventually become tropical in nature on Sunday and possibly into Monday, allowing for locally heavier and more widespread rainfall.
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WEATHER MODELS INDICATE 24-HOUR RAINFALL AMOUNTS
“Current numerical weather models indicate 24-hour rainfall amounts in the order of 15-30 mm across large parts of the eastern provinces from Sunday, with heavier amounts possible over parts of the Highveld on Tuesday due to the influx of tropical moisture.”
SAWS said.
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While the eastern parts of the country will be cooler, the western interior will remain hot and dry, with strong winds in places reaching near gale-force strength along the southwest coast of the Western Cape.
NEAR GALE-FORCE STRENGTH WINDS ARE EXPECTED ALONG SOUTHWEST COAST OF WESTERN CAPE
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These weather conditions will continue to favour the development and spread of veld fires and hamper current firefighting operations.
It urged the public to regularly follow any updated weather forecasts and warnings that may be issued during this time.
ARE YOU PLANNING ON DRIVING IN THIS WEATHER ON CHRISTMAS DAY?
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If you are planning to drive on Christmas Day in these weather conditions, the AA recommends the following:
- Motorists should check that their windscreen wipers are working properly (front and back) and that their brakes are sound;
- Ensure your headlights and brake lights are working. Switch on your headlights, especially when natural light is low, as this also alerts other drivers to your presence on the road;
- Check that your tyres are in good shape to avoid aquaplaning. Aquaplaning occurs when the tread on the tyres is no longer able to channel water away, and the tyre lifts off the road surface and starts to skim across the water like a speedboat;
- Don’t speed, and maintain a safe following distance. Driving 15 to 20km/h below the speed limit is always a good idea in extremely wet conditions;
- Slow down before entering standing water on the road, as this may cause the car to “pull” to the side without warning and may be deeper than it looks; and
- Crashes in wet conditions are common, so always wear your safety belt and ensure all children and passengers are strapped in.
