Gale force winds could reach 80 km/h in the Cape this weekend
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a pair of Yellow Level 2 warnings for wind and waves in the Western and Northern Cape, on Thursday, 30 June 2022.
COLD FRONT TO BRING STRONG WIND AND WAVES
The wind and waves warning is effective from midnight on Saturday, 2 July until Sunday night at 22:00.
The coastline in the Northern Cape and Western Cape will be affected between Alexander Bay and Cape Agulhas.
According to the weather service, strong to gale force (44 to 65 km/h) north westerly to westerly winds with gusts up to 75 km/h are expected in the affected areas.
The wind, which is associated with an approaching cold front, is expected to subside by the evening. Meanwhile, large waves – between 4.5 to 6 metres – are expected in the same area.
Potential impacts of the wind and waves include:
- Difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels and personal watercraft is a possibility.
- Small vessels are at risk of capsizing.
- There could be localised disruption of small ports, harbours and beachfront activities.
GUSTING UP TO 80 KM/H IS A POSSIBILITY
The wind weather warning is effective from 9:00 on Saturday until 20:00 on Sunday and will mostly affect the inland areas of the province and the City of Cape Town.
“Ahead of an approaching cold front, strong north-westerly winds with speeds between 50 to 60 km/h, gusting up to 80 km/h are expected over southern Namakwa (Northern Cape), the Western Cape Winelands, Central Karoo, northern parts of the Garden Route districts, including the City of Cape Town Municipality…” said the weather service.
The strong winds are likely to cause damage in the aforementioned areas.
The potential impacts of the wind warning include:
- Structural damage to formal/informal settlements is possible.
- Fallen trees may impede transport routes and properties and cause localised power outages.
- High-sided vehicles could be vulnerable to crosswinds on certain high-level roads.
- Runaway fires are a possibility.’
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