SAWS issues Level 6 warning for snow, flooding and severe weather in these parts of South Africa

Durban – The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that a cut-off low weather system will bring widespread cold, wet and disruptive weather across parts of the country from Tuesday evening, including light snowfall, flooding and dangerous coastal conditions.

The weather system is expected to affect parts of the Eastern Cape, southern KwaZulu-Natal, the southern Free State and areas along the Lesotho border before clearing from the west by Thursday.

SAWS said the adverse weather conditions are likely to result in snowfall over high-lying areas, while heavy rainfall could trigger flooding and damage to infrastructure.

The weather service has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive rain between East London and Port Edward, where flooding of roads, bridges and settlements, as well as damage to property and infrastructure, is expected.

An Orange Level 5 warning has also been issued for disruptive snowfall over the extreme north-eastern high ground of the Eastern Cape, where traffic disruptions, interruptions to essential services and communities being temporarily cut off are expected.

In KwaZulu-Natal, a Yellow Level 4 warning is in place for disruptive rainfall affecting coastal and adjacent inland areas south of St Lucia, with localised flooding anticipated.

A Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for disruptive rain across the south-eastern Eastern Cape and eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, excluding the province’s far north-east. Another Yellow Level 2 warning warns of disruptive snowfall over the north-eastern high ground of the Eastern Cape.

Meanwhile, a Yellow Level 1 warning has been issued for damaging coastal winds and waves between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas, with small vessels and personal watercraft expected to experience difficult navigation and localised disruption to beachfront activities.

SAWS has urged farmers to take precautionary measures to reduce the impact of the severe weather and advised the public to remain alert and monitor official weather updates as conditions develop.