Province warned of heavy snowfall!

THE South African Weather Service in the Free State has warned residents to wear warm clothes as the cold front with heavy rains continues.

Snowfall has hit the province since Sunday, 7 July.

The weather forecast predicts widespread snowfall in southern and western highlands, damaging winds inland and along the coast, high seas in coastal areas, and cold conditions across much of the country.

Provincial weather service's Moitheri Ramathebane said heavy rainfall is expected where flooding is likely to occur.

"The public and small stock farmers are advised to take the necessary precautions ahead of the expected adverse weather conditions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their animals.

"Widespread rainfall can be expected over parts of the Northern Cape province, with heavy rain leading to possible flooding over the western parts, while widespread amounts of 20 to 50mm are likely mountainous regions over the western parts of the Western Cape may see higher amounts of 70 to 100," she said.

Ramathebane further said Widespread snowfalls are expected to occur over the mountains and in the southern high ground of the Northern Cape but will spread to other provinces' mountains in the evening.

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"While light snowfall may even extend as far as Prieska in the Northern Cape and Bloemfontein in the Free State, heavier and more disruptive snowfall of 15 to 30cm may lead to the closure of roads and mountain passes, as well as loss of vulnerable livestock, can be expected over the southern high ground of the Northern Cape," said Moitheri.

She said cold temperatures could be expected over the western parts of the country with bitterly cold temperatures across many parts of the country.

"The maximum temperatures will not exceed 10°C in some areas, while daytime temperatures over the high ground are unlikely to exceed 4°C. The cold front will exit the country on Tuesday, 9 July, while another cold front will be approaching.

"The South African Weather Service will, therefore, continue to monitor any further developments relating to this weather system and will issue subsequent updates as required. Furthermore, the public is urged and encouraged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio," she said.