Weather Alert: Impact Based Weather Warnings: Damaging Winds & Damaging Waves

The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following Impact Based Warnings for the Western Cape and Namaqua Region of Northern Cape:

Legal notice: “This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance. It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

HAZARD 1: Damaging Winds

Alert Level: Yellow (L2)

Affected Municipalities: Beaufort West, Breede Valley, Cape Agulhas, City of Cape Town, Drakenstein, Karoo Hoogland, Laingsburg, Langeberg, Bergrivier, Bitou, Cape Agulhas, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, City of Cape town, George, Hessequa, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Overstrand, Saldanha Bay, Swartland, Table Bay, Overstrand, Prince Albert, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Theewaterskloof and Witzenberg.

Valid From (SAST): 25/06/21 09h00

Valid To (SAST): 26/06/21 00h00

Discussion: Cold front is expected to make landfall over the Cape on Friday. Ahead of the cold front the winds are expected to be strong to near gale north westerly to westerly (50 to 60km/h gusting 70 to 80km/h) over the western Cape interior and southern parts of the Namakwa District on Friday afternoon moderating through the night. However along the west and south west coastal areas strong to gale force north-westerly wind (60-80km/h gusting 90km/h) is expected from late morning spreading along the south coast from the evening and moderating during Saturday.

Impact: Localised damage to settlements can be expected. Localised problems can be expected for high-sided vehicles on prone routes (N1, N7, R321, R43) due to cross winds on exposed high level roads or bridges. Some transport routes and travel services can be affected by the winds. Along the coast, localised disruption to ports and small harbours for short period of time can be expected. Difficulty in navigation with rough choppy seas is likely.

Instruction: Be aware of the following: sudden cross winds if traveling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines.

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Legal notice: “This warning from SA Weather Service must be communicated as received and may not be altered under any circumstance.
It must be forwarded or communicated in its entirety and no portion hereof may be replicated or copied and distributed.”

HAZARD 2:  Damaging Waves

Alert Level:  Yellow(L2)

Affected Municipalities: Bergrivier, Bitou, Cape Agulhas, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, City of Cape town, George, Hessequa, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Overstrand, Saldanha Bay, Swartland and Table Bay.

Valid From (SAST): 25/06/21 12h00

Valid To (SAST): 26/06/21 00h00

Discussion: Cold front is expected to pass over the Cape on Friday. Significant wave heights of 4.5m to 6.5m (SW/W swell) can be expected between Lambert’s Bay and Stilbaai by Friday evening spreading to Plettenberg Bay on Saturday. Wave heights subside by Saturday evening.

Impact: Localised damage to coastal infrastructure as well as anglers and beach-goers on low-level rocks may be at risk of being swept off by large waves. Difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels and personal watercraft (e.g. kayaks) can be expected. This may lead to vessels taking on water and capsizing in a locality. Localised disruption to small harbours for short periods is possible. Disruption to beachfront activities is likely.

Instruction: Be aware of large unpredictable waves along the coast. Small vessels are advised to seek shelter in harbours, bays or inlets. Be aware of strong rip currents especially during spring tides.

Report any weather related incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at 044 805 5071.

ENDS