“COASTAL CHAOS: 75km/h winds, giant waves & freezing temps slam Western Cape

Cape Town – The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of severe weather conditions in the Western Cape and Northern Cape this week.

From Tuesday, damaging winds of up to 75 km/h will affect coastal areas from Cape Point to Plettenberg Bay, posing risks to small vessels, harbours, and beachfront activities.

“A cold front is expected to slip south of the country on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in north-westerly to westerly damaging winds of 35 to 55 km/h gusting 60 to 75 km/h between Cape Point to Plettenberg Bay on Tuesday evening into Wednesday,” SAWS said.

🥶☀️🌤️️️🌦️ ️WEATHER UPDATE: Damaging wind and wave warnings for Tuesday and some coastal rain. See https://t.co/qs5oMScTA4 for the full forecast #saws #saweather #forecast #weatherwarnings pic.twitter.com/gWvglp2nTA

— Snow Report Southern Africa (@SnowReportSA) June 16, 2025

Damaging waves between 4.0 and 5.5 metres are expected from Tuesday to Thursday, further disrupting marine activities.

“Westerly to south-westerly swells with wave heights reaching 4.0 to 5.0m, but 5.5m on Wednesday are expected along the coast between Saldanha Bay to Plettenberg from Tuesday evening until Thursday evening.”

Very cold temperatures of 10°C and below will hit the interior regions from Wednesday through Saturday, as back-to-back cold fronts move across the region.

Residents are advised to take caution due to risks at sea, disruptions at ports, and hazardous weather inland.