The South African Weather Service has issued a series of weather warnings across the region for Monday.
A Yellow level 4 warning for disruptive snowfall, leading to loss of livestock and crops, as well as closure of mountain passes, is in place over the southern high ground of Namakwa District (N. Cape) and over the Cape Winelands, Little and Central Karoo.
There is also an Orange level 5 warning for disruptive snowfall leading to some communities temporarily inaccessible, as well as the closure of mountain passes, over the Witzenberg and Breede Valley municipality.
The Head of Disaster Management in the Western Cape Colin Deiner says they anticipate traffic disruptions due to the high possibility of snow and ice on roads within and around Touwsrivier and De Doorns.
He says the Breede Valley Municipality has engaged strategic role players regarding the closure of a portion of the N1 between De Doorns and Beaufort West to mitigate the risk of disaster and emergency incidents.
Residents and motorists have been advised to avoid these areas, roads, and routes where high snowfall is expected and readjust their travel itineraries accordingly.
There are also severe weather warnings in place for damaging winds and waves on Monday, between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas, and between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay.
The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon has urged extreme caution as the rough seas, coupled with the new moon Spring tide, will bring with it rip currents anticipated to be stronger than normal today and sea conditions to be perilous in places.
Lambinon has appealed to bathers, coastal hikers, beach strollers, paddlers, boaters and sailors to be extra cautious on this last day of the school vacation.
NSRI, lifeguards, Police, Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, the emergency medical services and fire and rescue services are all on high alert.
Officials have called on all residents to adhere to all safety measures as they return from their school holidays to ensure that everyone remains safe.
READ: Western Cape residents urged to stay vigilant amid severe weather
