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The Star
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
South Africa braces for severe weather as temperatures plummet and rain looms
With a chilling weekend on the horizon, South Africans are urged to be alert and prepared as a series of cold fronts bring freezing temperatures and heavy rain across the nation. As winter tightly grips the country, South Africans are being warned to prepare for an abrupt change in weather conditions, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing a level warning for significant temperature drops and potential flooding. This includes rain and showers expected to sweep across multiple provinces, including the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and the Western Cape, starting Thursday. On Friday, conditions are expected to worsen with the possibility of freezing levels dropping over eastern parts, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains, where snowfall is likely. In southern Gauteng, residents might experience sleet, alongside isolated showers scattered throughout the province. The approaching weather front will usher in cold winds, prompting a shift in seasonal temperatures that many South Africans are not accustomed to as winter sets in. According to meteorological assessments, the most impactful front will arrive in the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon, where residents should brace for quick and intense downpours. It is revealed that these weather conditions could lead to severe impacts, while predicted flooding may disrupt local roads, affecting both formal and informal settlements and potentially damaging property and infrastructure. The danger of life-threatening situations will escalate due to rapid water flow over low-lying bridges, while major disruptions in traffic due to flooded and damaged roads could cause delays in travel. There are also reports of increased risks for mudslides and rockfalls in certain areas. In response to these alarming forecasts, the City of Johannesburg's emergency services have urged residents to exercise caution during the frigid weather. ' As the winter chill tightens its grip, we are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution when using heating devices. Let's work together to prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer winter for all Johannesburg residents, ' said Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi. The anticipated temperature drop is expected to plunge to below freezing overnight, prompting strong advisories against leaving heaters, braziers, or paraffin stoves unattended, which could lead to fire hazards within households. [email protected] Saturday Star
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
South Africa braces for severe weather as temperatures plummet and rain looms
With a chilling weekend on the horizon, South Africans are urged to be alert and prepared as a series of cold fronts bring freezing temperatures and heavy rain across the nation. With a chilling weekend on the horizon, South Africans are urged to be alert and prepared as a series of cold fronts bring freezing temperatures and heavy rain across the nation. As winter tightly grips the country, South Africans are being warned to prepare for an abrupt change in weather conditions, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing a level warning for significant temperature drops and potential flooding. This includes rain and showers expected to sweep across multiple provinces, including the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and the Western Cape, starting Thursday. On Friday, conditions are expected to worsen with the possibility of freezing levels dropping over eastern parts, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains, where snowfall is likely. In southern Gauteng, residents might experience sleet, alongside isolated showers scattered throughout the province. The approaching weather front will usher in cold winds, prompting a shift in seasonal temperatures that many South Africans are not accustomed to as winter sets in. According to meteorological assessments, the most impactful front will arrive in the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon, where residents should brace for quick and intense downpours. It is revealed that these weather conditions could lead to severe impacts, while predicted flooding may disrupt local roads, affecting both formal and informal settlements and potentially damaging property and infrastructure. The danger of life-threatening situations will escalate due to rapid water flow over low-lying bridges, while major disruptions in traffic due to flooded and damaged roads could cause delays in travel. There are also reports of increased risks for mudslides and rockfalls in certain areas. In response to these alarming forecasts, the City of Johannesburg's emergency services have urged residents to exercise caution during the frigid weather. 'As the winter chill tightens its grip, we are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution when using heating devices. Let's work together to prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer winter for all Johannesburg residents,' said Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi. The anticipated temperature drop is expected to plunge to below freezing overnight, prompting strong advisories against leaving heaters, braziers, or paraffin stoves unattended, which could lead to fire hazards within households. [email protected] Saturday Star
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Hot tips: How to keep warm safely and avoid fires this winter
Mulaudzi encouraged residents to visit EMS Be Safe Centres for free fire safety training. As temperatures drop this week, emergency medical services (EMS) warns the public to ensure that all heating devices are properly maintained to prevent fire incidents at home. Speaking to The Citizen, EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said they see an increase in fire incidents throughout winter. ' Most of those fire incidents are caused by heating devices, things like brazier or mbaola, heaters, paraffin stove, candles. Most of these heating devices are left unattended while in use, in the process causing devastating fire incidents,' Mulaudzi said. Tips to avoid fires If using a brazier or mbaola, always operate it in a well-ventilated area. Remove the brazier or mbaola from the house before going to bed. When using heaters, ensure they are always monitored while in use. Do not leave heaters unattended around young kids. Use candles in proper safety jars instead of cold drink or beer bottles, as bottles can overheat, tip over, and cause serious fires. ALSO READ: Tips on how to protect your property from burning this winter Safety first when staying warm Furthermore, the City of Tshwane gave the following winter safety guidelines: Keep at least one metre of clear space in front of heaters, and never use them to dry clothes. Never discard lit cigarettes, especially in places that could easily be set alight. Never start a fire or use a heater while under the influence of alcohol, and avoid falling asleep with a lit cigarette in your hand. The city then stated that accidental fires are more common among those who live in informal settlements. ' We are appealing to people to remember to put safety first when trying to stay warm during the winter months.' Mulaudzi urged residents to visit the EMS Be Safe centres across the seven regions in Johannesburg. 'The residents can visit these centres where they will be trained for free on life and fire safety educational programmes so that they will be able to deal with emergencies in their respective communities,' he concluded. NOW READ: Man dies after fire guts shack in Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Come rain or snow, Joburg Emergency Service on high alert
Gauteng residents have been warned to brace for severe weather With a forecast for snow and a cold front looming, Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) said they are prepared for any eventuality that may occur. According to Vox Weather, the mercury is expected to drop below 20°C on Monday, 9 June,` as residents scurry to get their blankets out and keep warm. The first of the winter cold fronts moving over parts of the country is a preview of the rest of the season. Gauteng snow? Regional forecaster Gauteng Weather has also warned residents to brace for freezing weather. 'Early forecast suggests powerful cold snap in Gauteng beginning Monday!!!' it said on X. While Gauteng residents were hoping for a surprise snowfall, Vox Weather said the European model (ECMWF) is no longer showing snow for Gauteng. 'We're not ruling out ice rain or the chance of a few light flurries,' it said. ALSO READ: Winter wonderland: Snow expected in Gauteng next week High alert Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said they are on high alert. 'It's extremely cold in most parts of the city of Johannesburg. Residents are urged to continue to exercise caution when using heating devices —things like heaters, paraffin stoves, braziers or Imbaula.' He said residents should not leave these heating devices unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents. 'From our side as a City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, we remain on alert monitoring all seven regions of the city, especially our vulnerable communities, our informal settlements throughout the city, to ensure that we can be able to respond to any emergencies which might occur during this extremely cold temperatures,' Mulaudzi said. 'Life-threatening snow' Meanwhile, Vox Weather has warned of 'life-threatening snow possible for parts of the Eastern Cape and Lesotho. The ECMWF model is indicating that heavy snowfall of more than 40cm could accumulate over two days in the Nuweveld Mountains, north of Beaufort West, and near Nieu-Bethesda. 'Both ECMWF and Global Forecasting System (GFS) now suggest life-threatening snowfall over 50cm (half a metre) possible in the Southern Drakensberg near towns like Barkly East, Lady Grey and Khowa. Up to 70cm expected on nearby mountain passes!' 'Less snow is now expected over the Western Cape mountains than previously forecast. Keep in mind, as we've seen many times before, cut-off lows are highly unpredictable, and forecasts can change quickly from day to day,' Vox Weather said. Warning: Do not attempt a snow chase Vox said snow remains possible over the southern Free State, with a light dusting even as far north as Schweizer-Reneke in the North West. Disruptive snowfall likely in Lesotho, Eastern Cape (including the Southern Drakensberg, Barkly East, and surrounding areas) 'This is a very dangerous snow event. Please do not attempt a snow chase in the Eastern Cape. Mountain passes could close, roads may become impassable, and vehicles could easily get stranded in severe conditions,' Vox Weather warned. NOW READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Cold front makes landfall with strong winds and chilly weather
Temperatures expected to drop significantly. The forecasted cold front has made landfall in Gauteng with strong winds violently shaking trees and extremely chilly weather forcing residents to don jerseys, jackets and scarves. Temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with Johannesburg Emergency Services on high alert to deal with any incident that may occur. The cold weather is a stark reminder that winter is coming, forcing South Africans to start taking out their blankets. Cold weather Gauteng Weather warned residents that the cold front would start sweeping into the province on Wednesday. The chilly weather is expected to continue until the weekend. Gauteng Weather forecasts temperatures dropping to a minimum of 2°C in Johannesburg, with a high of 14°C. Pretoria is forecasted to have a minimum of 4°C and a high of 16°C. The forecasted cold front has made landfall in Gauteng, with strong winds and extremely chilly weather, forcing residents to don jerseys, jackets, and scarves. Joburg Emergency Services Robert Mulaudzi explains. #ColdFront @TheCitizen_News — 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) May 21, 2025 ALSO READ: Get your blankets out: Cold front to hit Gauteng Emergency services Joburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi expressed concern regarding the warning of a cold front. The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a warning for extremely cold temperatures in most parts of the city of Johannesburg. Residents are urged to exercise caution when using heating devices, things like heaters, braziers or paraffin stoves, not to leave them unattended while in use, so that we can be able to prevent fire incidents which might occur at home during this extremely cold temperatures. 'From our side as a city of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, together with our disaster management and monitoring teams, we remain on high alert, monitoring all seven regions of the city for any emergencies which might occur,' Mulaudzi said. Other parts of SA Saws warned of wet, windy, and cold to very cold conditions over western high-lying areas of the Western Cape and southern parts of the Northern Cape and Free State, with a possibility of light snow along the high-lying mountain tops of Western Cape, Eastern Cape up to the Lesotho until Wednesday. 'Farmers and small stock farmers are advised to provide proper shelter, dry bedding, and energy-rich feed to protect their animals against these conditions'. Saws also warned of extremely high fire danger conditions expected over the Beaufort West Municipality of Western Cape, Thembelihle Municipality of Northern Cape and the extreme northwestern parts of Free State. ALSO READ: Eskom winter outlook: Here's how many days of load shedding to expect in SA
