Widespread rain across the Cape over the weekend
A weak cold front hits Cape Town on Friday 23 February, bringing with it some rain for the thirsty Cape Provinces.
A watch has also been issued for severe thunderstorms in Eastern Cape’s interior, as well as a fire warning for the western interior of SA.
The SA Weather Service (SAWS) cautiously predicts especially heavy rains in parts over Western and Eastern Cape on Saturday and Sunday, although they stress that it is not expected to bring relief to the water crisis in the Cape Peninsula and Boland regions.
The agency also warns that the rains may “surpass the infiltration capacity of the ground, thus leading to overland runoff”.
“Such runoff feeds into stream and river systems and often leads to river-flooding scenarios. The public should therefore remain vigilant and aware of the danger of localised urban flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and especially where the environment is modified by tarred roads and brick or concrete paving.
“Moreover, under such circumstances, the public are strongly discouraged from crossing low-water bridges, either on foot or in vehicles. In both cases there is the very real danger of being swept off the bridge, due to the extreme lateral force of floodwaters.”