Winter weather sets in with heavy rains‚ traffic jams and snow forecast

29 April 2016 - 11:05 By TMG Digital

Heavy overnight rain caused flooding in parts of Cape Town‚ as residents were greeted by icy weather early on Friday. Peak hour traffic was delayed on major routes leading into the city due to poor visibility and partially flooded roads.The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre issued an alert for "ice cold conditions‚ rain and possible snow" in parts of the province which also experienced gale force winds.There is a chance of snow falling over parts of the Eastern Cape‚ Lesotho and the Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.Snow Report SA said‚ “we see a strong possibility for snow over the mountainous and high lying regions of South Africa this Saturday. The majority of the snowfall will be focused over the mountains of the Eastern Cape and over Lesotho and the Drakensberg. Should it occur‚ we could potentially experience as much as 10 cm over certain parts of Lesotho and the Eastern Cape.”The National Sea Rescue Institute issued a storm warning‚ advising boaters‚ paddlers‚ bathers and anglers to be cautious around the coast and on inland waterways."NSRI urge extreme caution around the coast and on inland waterways and advise the public to keep a watch on weather and storm related information and heed warnings posted by the necessary authorities and to take the necessary safety precautions‚" said spokesman Craig Lambinon.The South African Weather Service said Cape Town could expect a maximum temperature of 16 degrees on Friday.A storm last Friday caused traffic gridlock in Cape Town when strong winds uprooted trees and damaged homes.The rain could bring relief to drought-affected parts of the province. Western Cape dam levels remain critically low‚ hovering at around 30% of capacity...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.