Latest Weather: Cold front expected to make landfall today

Weather Update: A weak cold front is expected to make landfall in parts of SA today. Check here for the areas that will be affected…

Weather Services have indicated in the latest WEATHER update that a weak cold front is expected to make landfall TODAY in parts of South Africa.

HERE IS YOUR LATEST WEATHER UPDATE

According to VoxWeather, the weak cold front is expected to make landfall on Thursday afternoon in parts of the Western Cape.

The weak cold front will bring along with light rainfall that will continue into Friday. Light rain is expected along the western coast and into the eastern cape.

Meanwhile, warm and sunny weather is returning to the rest of South Africa on Thursday.

THIS COMES AFTER DISRUPTIVE SNOWFALL EARLIER THIS WEEK

This comes after disruptive and heavy snowfalls in parts of the country earlier this week.

ALSO READ: Check it out: It’s a SNOW wonderland in SA today

The South African Weather Service issued a warning for veld fires for Thursday and Friday.

The following areas will be affected by the veld fire warning:

• Dawid Kruiper – Twee Rivieren / Twee Rivieren
• Dawid Kruiper – Upington / Upington
• Joe Morolong / Hotazel
• Mangaung – Naledi / Vryburg
• Lekwa-Teemane / Bloemhof
• Tsantsabane / Postmasburg
• Greater Taung / Taung
• Tswelopele / Tikwana/Hoopstad
• Kai !Garib / Augrabies Falls
• !Kheis / Groblershoop
• Tokologo/Dealesville
• Siyathemba / Prieska
• Hantam / Calvinia
• Kareeberg / VanWyksvlei
• Kopanong / Fauresmith
• Mohokare / Aliwal North
• Ubuntu / Victoria West
• Karoo Hoogland / Sutherland
• Beaufort West
• Kannaland / Ladismith
• Oudtshoorn
• Dr Beyers Naude – Baviaans / Willowmore
• Dr Beyers Naude – Graaff-Reinet / Graaff – Reinet

WHAT TO DO WHEN VELD FIRES APPROACH YOUR PROPERTY

What you should do when veld fire approaches your property: 

• Decide whether it is safer to stay or leave the scene.
• Wear protective clothing and footwear.
• Have emergency food and medical supplies ready.
• Move livestock to safer areas.
• Listen to the radio for news updates.
• Wet the garden and house, especially on the side of the approaching fire.
• Plug gutters and fill them with water.
• Fill baths, buckets and dust bins with water in case the water supply fails, and have mops handy.
• Seal any gaps between the doors and floor using wet towels or similar items.
• Close all windows and doors.
• If you decide to stay, go indoors and remain there until the fire has passed.
• Take fire hoses and other firefighting equipment indoors with you.
• Check inside the house, including the roof cavity, and extinguish any small fires immediately.
• Remain vigilant after the fire has passed.
• If you decide to evacuate your home, remember that every second counts:
• Escape first, then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and make sure everyone in the family gathers at an agreed meeting place outside.
• Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room.
• Practise feeling your way out with your eyes closed.
• Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered.
• Practice your family emergency plan / home escape plan frequently with your family.
• Never return to a burning building for any reason, you could die.
• Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a home fire.

“Conditions are such that the Fire Danger Index (FDI) is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.”

SAWS

Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

By: Corné van Zyl