SAWS issues disruptive rainfall warnings for South Africa as cut-off low intensifies

24 September 2023 [updated 25 September]
By Staff Writer



The cut-off low over South Africa will intensify on Sunday 24 September 2023 causing widespread showers and thundershowers as well as damaging winds across many areas, according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

Widespread flooding, severe thunderstorms, gale force winds, and very rough seas can be expected. SAWS has warned that torrential 48-hour rainfall in excess of 100-200mm is possible in places over the Western and Eastern Cape provinces from Sunday into Monday.

SnowReportSA has also issued a snow forecast for this period, which can be viewed here.

The following warnings were issued by SAWS on Monday:

Orange level 9 warning for disruptive rain which is expected to result in flooding over the Eastern Cape and valid until 10pm on Monday, 25 September.

Orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain which is expected to result in flooding in the Eastern Cape province and valid until Tuesday, 26 September.

Yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds for KwaZulu-Natal and valid until 6pm on Monday, 25 September.

The following warnings were issued by SAWS on Sunday:

• Orange level 9 warning for disruptive rainfall for the Overberg, parts of the Garden Route and southern parts of the Cape Winelands Districts of Western Cape on 24-25 September 2023. Widespread flooding is expected with rainfall in excess of 100mm and up to 150mm possible in places. Full catchments may cause further flooding downstream and SAWS warns that severe impacts are possible.

The following warnings were issued by SAWS on Saturday:

Rainfall Impact-based Warnings

• Orange level 6 warning for Severe Thunderstorms leading to flooding/flash flooding is expected over the Garden Route, Overberg, southern parts of Cape Winelands of the Western Cape.

• Yellow level 2 warning for Severe Thunderstorms leading to localized flooding/flash flooding is expected over the Central Karoo, northern parts of the Cape Winelands, southern parts of the West Coast District, City of Cape Town of the Western Cape.

• An orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain is expected over the central and southern parts of the Northern Cape, as well as the western parts of the Eastern Cape.

• An orange level 8 warning for disruptive rain is expected on along the coast and adjacent interior of the eastern half of the Eastern Cape.

• A yellow level 2 warning for disruptive rain is expected along the escarpment and parts of the central interior of the Eastern Cape.

Wind and Waves Impact-based Warnings

• Orange level 6 warning for Damaging Winds and Waves leading to disruption of ports and small harbours is expected between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay of the Western Cape, spreading eastwards along the Eastern Cape coast reaching Port Edward.

• Orange level 6 warning for Interior Winds leading to damage to settlements is expected over the Garden Route, eastern Overberg and Langeberg Local Municipalities of the Western Cape as well as the south-western parts of the Eastern Cape.

• Yellow level 2 warning for Damaging Interior Winds leading to disruption to transport is expected over the southern parts of Namakwa of the Northern Cape, Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, western parts of the Overberg, City of Cape Town of the Western Cape, central and eastern parts of the Eastern Cape as well as the central and southern parts of the Northern Cape.

• Yellow level 2 warning for Damaging Wind and Waves leading to difficulty in navigation is expected between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas of the Western Cape.

Maps with region-specific alerts and warnings can be found below.

This forecast is changing constantly and updates will be issued periodically.

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