The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 4 warning for severe thunderstorms resulting in flooding and large amounts of small hail expected over the Cape Winelands and Overberg Districts in the Western Cape.

The adverse weather conditions are expected to make landfall on Monday into Tuesday and lighten up as the week progresses.

Monday SAWS Western Cape weather forecast: “Cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread in the south-west. It will be windy over the interior from the afternoon. The wind along the coast will be light southerly along the south coast at first becoming moderate south-westerly from the afternoon otherwise fresh southerly to south-westerly.”

Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said the Provincial Disaster Management Centre is prepared for the adverse weather conditions expected over parts of the Cape Winelands and Overberg Districts.

“We have activated the district disaster management centres and will be monitoring the weather patterns in close collaboration with the weather services.”

Bredell added that provincial departments of Health, Education and Infrastructure are also on standby in the event that services are disrupted.

According to the SA Weather Services, the districts can expect rapid heavy downpours ranging from 20-40mm, excessive lightning, strong downdrafts as well as large amounts of small hail.

“Although local authorities will be ready to deal with any eventuality, the public should be careful and take heed of warnings that are issued.”

The minister has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel on Monday and take note of risks associated with strong winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail.

While the weather advisory was initially only sent out to the Cape Winelands and Overberg districts, the Cape Metropole has now also been provisionally added to the list.

The SAWS has advised the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre that Cape Town could now be affected too.

“The warning is for showers and severe thunderstorms that could result in rapid, heavy downpours, excessive lightning, a strong downdraft and even hail.”

The City has since assured residents that all relevant departments have been advised to be on standby, to deal with any impacts brought on by the forecast.

Residents are urged to please exercise caution, and to report any emergencies to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.