KZN facing stormy week with snow, strong winds
KwaZulu-Natal residents have been urged to
remain cautious as widespread rain, strong winds, and snowfall are expected to
sweep across the province this week.
The South African Weather Service says a cut-off low-pressure system is behind the cold, wet conditions.
Several weather warnings have been issued for Monday and Tuesday.
"For today, we have issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms leading to flooding over the western and eastern parts of the province," said forecaster Ayanda Nsele.
"Tomorrow (Tuesday), we have a number of warnings starting with a Yellow Level 4 for disruptive rain over the southern extreme southern parts.
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"So, there will be over the areas of Kokstad, Harding and parts of Ugu, including Ixobho."
Nsele said snowfall is expected over the southern Drakensberg starting Monday night, with strong, damaging winds expected in other areas.
"Tomorrow we're expecting quite strong winds across the province. We therefore have a Yellow Level 4 warning over the northern part, where winds are expected to reach 60 to 70 kilometres per hour.
"The south and half of the province, we are expecting Orange Level 5 for damaging winds as we are expecting much stronger winds, possibly reaching 90 to 100 kilometres per hour."
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Coastal regions could face waves as high as eight meters, which could disrupt ports and small harbours.
"We have a Level 4 warning for damaging wind and waves,” Nsele explained.
"We are expecting quite high waves of four to six meters, reaching seven to eight meters south of Richards Bay over the course of tomorrow afternoon into Wednesday.”
The extreme conditions are expected to ease on Wednesday, but temperatures will remain bitterly cold throughout the week.
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