Take immediate precautions: secure loose items, avoid coastal areas during high seas, and keep an eye on warnings from the South African Weather Service. A cold-core cut-off low is expected to move across parts of South Africa from Thursday, bringing heavy and potentially disruptive rainfall, damaging winds, rough seas and a noticeable fall in temperatures.
Where the risk is highest
The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape. A Yellow Level 2 warning applies to parts of the Eastern Cape, including Nelson Mandela Bay and Gqeberha. Forecasters identified the Overberg and the Garden Route in the Western Cape as areas of particular concern as the system makes landfall and moves eastwards.
Forecaster Tokelo Chiloane said coastal areas could experience waves of up to 5.5 metres, while strong winds and disruptive rainfall are expected inland.
The system is cold-core in nature, which typically brings a sharper drop in temperatures compared with ordinary low-pressure systems. The Eastern Cape is expected to receive significant rainfall as the cut-off low tracks eastwards.
Immediate impacts and safety advice
Residents and travellers in affected areas should prepare for the following hazards:
- Heavy rainfall that could lead to localised flooding and hazardous road conditions.
- Damaging winds capable of bringing down branches, damaging signage and causing dangerous driving conditions for high-sided vehicles.
- Rough seas along exposed coasts with waves up to 5.5 m – avoid beaches, harbours and low-lying coastal roads during peak conditions.
- Sharp temperature drops as the system passes, especially inland and in the south-east.
People living in flood-prone areas should move valuables to higher ground, check drains and gutters, and avoid driving through standing water. Mariners and fishers must heed marine warnings and postpone trips while seas are high. If you must travel, allow extra time, drive cautiously and be alert for fallen trees or debris on roads.
What authorities and the Weather Service say
The South African Weather Service urged residents in affected provinces to remain alert for further warnings and updates as the system makes landfall and its strength is reassessed. Further inland warnings may be issued once the cut-off low’s exact track and intensity are clearer.
| Province / Area | Warning level | Primary hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Western Cape (Overberg, Garden Route) | Yellow Level 4 | Heavy rain, damaging winds, rough seas |
| Northern Cape (parts) | Yellow Level 4 | Heavy rain, strong winds |
| Eastern Cape (including Nelson Mandela Bay, Gqeberha) | Yellow Level 2 | Rainfall, cooler temperatures |
Emergency services and municipal teams should be ready to respond to flooding, fallen trees and power interruptions. Road users are reminded to reduce speed, keep headlights on in heavy rain and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Those in coastal communities should move vehicles and belongings away from low-lying coastal strips and watch for sudden changes in sea conditions.
We will monitor updates from the South African Weather Service and national emergency authorities. Keep your mobile devices charged, follow local authority guidance, and check the Weather Service’s warnings for any changes to the system’s track or intensity.
Summary: A significant cut-off low will affect parts of the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape from Thursday, with heavy rain, damaging winds, high seas (up to 5.5 m) and a marked drop in temperatures. Prepare now, avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas, and follow official warnings.
