July Recorded as Coldest Month- According to Weather Service

Picture courtesy: (Getty) A powerful cold front brings snow, ice, and rain, making it South Africa’s coldest day of the year.

(The Post News)- According to Gauteng Weather, Monday, July 8, 2024, is the coldest day so far in 2024. Gauteng is expected to get even colder, with temperatures dropping below freezing. The Gauteng Weather reported that Monday night will be extremely cold.

Gauteng Weather forecast temperatures dropping to -6 oC in Vereeniging, -4 oC in Johannesburg, and -2 oC in Pretoria, with maximum temperatures hardly reaching the teens.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) added that Tuesday will be the coldest morning this year, with temperatures expected to drop below freezing in many localities.

The SA Weather Service (SAWS) reported the first weather system in the series was an intense cold front, which will reach the western and central parts of the country.

A level 2 yellow warning has been issued by SAWS for heavy snowfall in inland parts of the Eastern Cape, the central and north-western parts of the Western Cape, and the southern parts of the Northern Cape and Free State, causing livestock losses and traffic disruptions due to frozen roads.
A level 6 orange warning has also been issued for coastal wind and wave damage, which could cause damage to coastal infrastructure along a long stretch of coastline between Alexander Bay and Durban.

The SAWS has warned of an intense cold front affecting the region, with bitterly cold temperatures and strong winds anticipated to continue over the coming days.

“High wind speeds raise the risk of runaway fires, property damage, and traffic disruptions. Vehicles pulling trailers or caravans and trucks moving light loads are advised to be extra cautious, especially when travelling Van Reenen Pass between Ladysmith and Harrismith, the weather service cautioned,” notes SA Weather.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Cape, Barkly Pass on the R58 between Barkly East and Lady Grey has been closed due to heavy snowfall, while other mountain passes are under close watch.

The affected regions include Barkly and Penhoek Pass on the N6 between Komani and Jamestown, which are now closed due to heavy snowfall.
“Heavy rainfall is also foreseen in the western parts of the Western Cape, where flooding is likely. The public and small-stock farmers were notified to take the necessary precautions ahead of the expected adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their animals,” SAWS said.
According to the SAWS, light snowfall may continue as far as Prieska in the Northern Cape and Bloemfontein in the Free State.

However, a heavier and more destructive snowfall of 15 to 30 centimetres is expected on the southern high ground of the Northern Cape and the western high ground of the Western Cape, resulting in road and mountain pass closures and the loss of endangered livestock.