Gauteng Residents Advised to Prepare for Incoming Cold Snap

A Twitter post warned Gauteng residents to brace for a cold snap expected to hit the province this week. According to The Citizen, regional weather forecaster Gauteng Weather issued the alert, also sharing the details on Twitter. “Breaking: cold snap possible late in the work week,” it tweeted. According to Gauteng Weather, the icy conditions will likely land on Monday.

In Johannesburg and Pretoria, windy conditions are anticipated, with temperatures ranging between a minimum of 1 °C and a maximum of 21 °C for Joburg. Pretoria will have slightly higher temperatures but will also experience a cold snap. Gauteng Weather forecasts a minimum temperature of 3 to 6 degrees, reaching a high of 23 °C on Tuesday but dropping to 17 °C on Friday.

While Gauteng prepares for the cold weather, the South African Weather Service (Saws) has also issued warnings for other parts of the country. A cut-off low-pressure system is expected over the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Namakwa District of the Northern Cape from Monday to Wednesday. Saws advise the public and small stock farmers to expect cold, windy, and wet conditions, with possible snowfall on some mountain tops on Wednesday.

Also read: Caution Urged in Heavy Rainfall for Affected Communities

In light of the cold snap, Johannesburg Emergency Services urges residents to take extra precautions when using heating appliances. Xolile Khumalo, the spokesperson for Joburg EMS, highlighted the need for caution during this period. “The winter season is here, and it is during this time that the residents of Johannesburg lose their lives and property due to fire incidents,” she said. Khumalo highlighted potential risks such as unattended candles, heating devices, cooking appliances, and improper storage of flammable liquids and urged the community to exercise caution.

The cold weather conditions will likely pressure the electricity grid as residents rely on electrical heating appliances to keep warm. As a result, authorities will closely monitor the situation to ensure a stable electricity supply during this period.

Also read:

Recent fires raise concerns during Pretoria’s fire season

Picture: Unsplash / freddie marriage

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