Black Southeaster: Rare wind phenomenon expected in the Cape Peninsula

You’d better hold on to your hats: The Western Cape can expect a rare southeaster wind of up to 70km/h this weekend.

By: Storm Simpson

When the Cape Doctor comes calling, it is usually accompanied by fair, sunny weather. However, when the notorious southeasterly wind comes with a cut-off low, it is called by a more ominous name.

BLACK SOUTHEASTER EXPECTED IN THE WESTERN CAPE

On Friday, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) said a cut-off low-pressure system is developing to the west of the country. As it moves closer, it is expected to intensify from Saturday, 10 December.

The southwestern coastal areas are expected to experience strong southeasterly winds of between 50 to 70km/h over the weekend while the weather system is in the area.

“Ordinarily southeasterly winds around the Cape Peninsula are associated with fair weather. However, with the presence of a cut-off low, there may be some thundershowers on Saturday and Sunday, leading to a phenomenon referred to as the ‘black southeaster’,” said the weather service.

The black southeaster occasionally occurs in Spring and Autumn months, and heavy rains are often associated with it.

The Laingsburg flood in January 1981, which saw 104 people die and hundreds of houses destroyed, was reportedly caused by a black southeaster.

The weather service issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for wind and waves around the southwestern coast on Saturday and Sunday.

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