The South African Weather Service (Saws) said temperatures were expected to plummet on Thursday, with very cold weather predicted for some parts of KwaZulu-Natal and snow in high-lying areas of the province.
Forecaster Sphesihle Dlamini said Thursday would be cloudy with isolated showers and rain across the province.
“But over the north-eastern parts we are expecting the rain to be scattered in parts with a 60% chance covering areas like Richards Bay and Jozini all the way to Mbazwana,” he said.
Dlamini said the Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging waves issued on Wednesday would continue on Thursday.
“The wind speed will be around 65km/h, however, at times it might reach gale-force speed of around 70km/h – that is mostly south of Durban; between Durban and Richards Bay we expect winds of 60km/h,” he said.
He said it was important for people planning trips along the beach to take precautions.
Dlamini said very cold conditions were expected mostly over the south-western parts of the province.
He said the predicted minimum and maximum temperatures for Kokstad were -2°C and 10°C, Underberg -2°C and 7°C, Pietermaritzburg 7°C and 10°C and Giants Castle -2°C and 7°C.
“In other areas we are just expecting cold conditions.”
While there is snow expected in Underberg and the Drakensberg on Thursday, Dlamini said the bulk of the snow was going to be along the border of Lesotho and KZN.
“We are not expecting the snow to be disruptive because it will mostly be in the high-lying areas in the extreme western parts of KZN today,” he said.
He urged the public to dress warmly and to stay indoors if possible.
Dlamini said these conditions were normal for this time of the year and there would be fewer cold fronts as summer approached.
“The temperatures will start recovering on Sunday when most of the province will start experiencing warmer temperatures,” he said.
Senzo Mzila, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), said disaster management teams were on high alert and would continue to monitor the situation.
Cogta had previously warned those using fires to keep warm, to be cautious.
“We appeal to all residents, especially those in informal settlements, to prioritise safety.
“The use of candles, gas and paraffin stoves, izimbawula, and electric appliances must be closely monitored at all times and they should never be left unattended.”
The Mercury