The Western Cape Disaster Management Centre is putting measures in place to deal with what is predicted to be a very cold weekend in the Western Cape. An intense cut-off low weather system is making landfall this evening, and heavy rains, strong coastal winds, together with very low temperatures and snow over high lying areas, are expected, Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said today.

The South African Weather Services issued several advisories for the weekend, including the possibility of rainfall of between 50mm and 70mm in the Overstrand and Garden Route Districts. “The Department of Water and Sanitation assured us that their offices are on high alert to monitor the already full dams in the province, and they, together with SA Weather Services will coordinate closely with our various district disaster management centres,” Minister Bredell said.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, people should rather postpone plans for outdoor activities this weekend. Measures from the Centre includes the reviewing of all hiking trails in the province, with the objective to close those which are deemed too risky considering the expected weather conditions.

“We are also advising people to rather postpone plans to do coastal angling or going out on small boats this weekend. Waves of between 5m and 8m are predicted along the southern coastline, and waves of between 4m and 6m are expected along the west coast. This, together with strong to gale-force southerly to south-westerly winds, means our small harbours can expect to face the full brunt of the stormy weather,” Minister Bredell said.

The Centre said snowfall over high lying areas could lead to the closure of mountain passes, and this could be disruptive in terms of traffic. “We are asking the public to rather spend this weekend indoors. In this manner we can reserve our rescue services for serious emergencies when they do occur,” Minister Bredell said.