The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued multiple warnings for cold, wet and windy weather affecting the Northern Cape and Western Cape after a cut-off low forms over the western interior on 3 September 2026.
What to expect and immediate actions
Expect a rapid change to cold to very cold conditions in places, with disruptive rainfall and strong to damaging winds. Coastal areas may experience gale-force winds and very large waves. People in affected areas should take practical precautions now:
- Avoid non-essential travel where heavy rain or strong crosswinds are forecast.
- Secure loose items outdoors and park vehicles away from trees and unsecured structures.
- Keep updated on local road and ferry conditions; expect interruptions to ports and harbours.
- Those in high-lying and exposed coastal locations should have emergency contact numbers ready and a basic emergency kit.
Details of the SAWS advisory
SAWS says the cut-off low will produce markedly colder air over the western interior. In high-lying areas, maximum temperatures may remain below 10°C in places. Rainfall could prove disruptive, with localised flooding possible in parts of the Western Cape. Strong interior winds may lead to damage and power interruptions, and dangerous seas could affect navigation.
“Very cold conditions are possible over the high-lying areas, where maximum temperatures may remain below 10°C in places. Rainfall over parts of the Western Cape may become disruptive and could lead to localised flooding, particularly over the south-eastern parts of the province.”
SAWS has published specific warnings at Yellow level for a number of hazards. The key warnings include damaging wind and waves that may disrupt ports and pose a danger to navigation, damaging inland winds that can cause infrastructure and service interruptions, and disruptive rainfall that may flood roads and settlements.
| Warning type | Areas affected | Primary hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Level 4 | Alexander Bay to Plettenberg Bay (coastal) | Damaging wind and waves; disruption of ports/harbours; danger to navigation |
| Yellow Level 4 | Namakwa (Northern Cape), Cape Winelands, Central Karoo (Western Cape) | Damaging winds causing interruptions to power, communications and damage to settlements |
| Yellow Level 4 | Eastern Overberg, Garden Route, Langeberg, Laingsburg (Western Cape) | Disruptive rainfall; localised flooding of roads and settlements |
Impacts to transport, services and coastal activities
SAWS warns that strong to damaging interior winds could cause power and communication outages and create dangerous conditions for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes. Coastal communities and maritime operators should be alert to waves reaching around 4.5 to 5.5 metres in places, which may threaten coastal infrastructure and small vessels.
Road users should be prepared for abrupt surface water, poor visibility in heavy rain, and sections of road becoming impassable where flooding occurs. Commuters and freight operators are advised to check with authorities and transport operators before travelling.
How to stay informed
- Monitor SAWS updates via their official channels for changes to warning levels and affected areas.
- Follow municipal and emergency services instructions, especially where localised flooding or evacuations are required.
- Subscribe to local municipal alerts if available and keep a battery-powered radio for updates during power outages.
This event underlines the importance of preparing for rapidly changing winter weather in the western parts of the country. SAWS will continue to update warnings as the situation evolves; residents and travellers in the affected districts should remain vigilant and prioritise safety.
Information in this report is based on the September 3, 2026 advisory issued by the South African Weather Service.
