Heavy snow could cut off EC communities as cold front hits

Heavy snow could leave some Eastern Cape communities temporarily inaccessible and cause major traffic disruptions as a powerful cold front and cut-off low bring bitterly cold, wet and windy conditions to the province. The SA Weather Service (Saws) has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow over the Chris Hani district and the Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele municipalities for Monday and Tuesday. The weather service warned the snowfall could cause “major traffic disruptions” and disruptions to livelihoods, with some communities potentially becoming temporarily inaccessible.

A wider Yellow Level 2 disruptive snow warning is also in place for parts of the province, including the Dr Beyers Naudé, Blue Crane Route, Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi, Intsika Yethu, Dr AB Xuma, Mhlontlo and Mzimvubu municipalities. Saws said snowfall in these areas could cause localised traffic disruptions and interruptions to services, as well as isolated losses of livestock and crops. The province is also facing heavy rain and damaging winds.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain has been issued for Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Ingquza Hill and Bizana, where localised flooding of vulnerable settlements, roads and bridges is possible. A separate Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds covers parts of the Joe Gqabi district. The severe conditions are being driven by a cold front accompanied by a cut-off low, which Saws said was expected to persist into Tuesday.

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“The public and small stock farmers are advised that very cold and windy conditions, snowfall over mountainous areas and rough to very rough seas can be expected,” the weather service said. Saws urged farmers and the public to take precautions. Both the western and eastern halves of the Eastern Cape are forecast to be cloudy and cold to very cold on Monday, with snow expected over high-lying areas.

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