Extreme cold front forecast across several provinces

SOUTH Africans are being urged to brace for severe weather conditions as a powerful cold front makes landfall, bringing chilly temperatures, heavy rain and widespread disruptions across the country.

- MERCURY CORRESPONDENT

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a low-pressure system is moving through the nation, affecting every province except Limpopo.

The system, which began impacting the Western Cape on Saturday evening, is expected to intensify in the coming days.

According to SAWS, extreme weather conditions — including heavy rainfall, strong winds and unseasonably low temperatures — will extend to the Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape and parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Temperatures in some areas are forecast to remain below 10°C even during the day.

In a televised weather update, SAWS meteorologists warned that the cold front could lead to localised flooding, road closures, and power outages due to storm damage. Several weather alerts have already been issued, particularly for the Western and Eastern Cape, where the heaviest rainfall is expected.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has called on all provincial and municipal authorities to activate disaster response plans.

Speaking at a briefing yesterday, Hlabisa stressed the importance of readiness.