Cape Town storm: Gale-force winds, swells and sea foam lash Mother City
The Cape Town storm, consisting of gale-force winds, large ocean swells and disruptive snowfall continues to ravage through the Mother City on Monday 13 July. One more weather element we saw on Monday morning was huge amounts of sea foam that washed onto the coastline in Sea Point.
On Sunday, just one day earlier, we were warned of another cold front but on Monday, the warnings just kept on coming. Videos and images have been doing the rounds on social media, showing the full might of mother nature.
WATCH: CAPE TOWN STORM ON MONDAY 13 JULY
SAWS has consistently warned Cape Town residents about large ocean swells and rough seas that would accompany the latest cold front but its warnings have not ceased.
On Monday morning, SAWS said the marine community should take extreme caution.
Posting a video of sea foam washing up on the promenade and covering passing cars, it said: “The ocean is getting rough. Sea foam in Sea Point this morning. Large waves and storm surge possible today.”
It said high to very high seas of 6.0-13.0 metres can be expected between Lamberts Bay and Port Alfred on Monday. A storm surge is also expected between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas on Monday morning, eventually spreading to Plettenberg Bay in the afternoon.
GALE-FORCE WINDS, SNOWFALL AND LOW TEMPERATURES
Besides an influx of sea foam, which is a sight to behold in itself, SAWS provided temperatures for Cape Town early on Monday morning.
It said Cape Town would most likely experience a high of 14 degrees on Monday and a low of 12 degrees.
Although residents experienced a Cape Town storm like no other with gusts of wind throughout the night, they should expect more like it. Gale-force winds to strong gale-force winds are expected throughout Monday. According to SAWS, we’re looking at gusts of up to 100km/h.
“Large waves and gale-force to strong gale force winds are expected on Monday [13 July] especially in parts of the Western Cape as another cold front moves through. The Marine and coastal communities should take extreme precaution as winds of 80-100km/h are expected,” it said.
Storm Report SA also posted a satellite image showing citizens where snow has fallen.
🛰🛰🛰 The beautiful satellite image was taken yesterday. You can see over Lesotho, Western Cape, and Eastern where the snow has fallen. Some good amounts of snow were observed over the Eastern Cape.
Posted by Storm Report SA on Sunday, July 12, 2020
Residents have been asked to watch out for falling trees during the Cape Town storm.
“High sided vehicles falling over, settlement damages and coastal infrastructure damages due to gale to strong gale force winds (65-100km/h) in the Western and Eastern Cape.”
IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
According to SAWS, the latest Cape Town storms, unfortunately, come with severe consequences. Gale to strong gale force winds may result in damage to coastal infrastructure, beach erosion and difficulties for boaters and fishers. Disruption of harbours and ports as well as beachfronts can be expected.
“Medium to large vessels will be at risk as a result of dragging anchors,” it said.
Gale to strong gale force winds over the interior could lead to damage of formal and informal settlements. Falling over of trees is likely to affect properties and road travel. Increased travel time is likely and high sided vehicles are at risk of falling over as a result of crosswinds, particularly on the N1, N2, N7 and R60. Strong north-westerly winds over the interior may fuel runaway fires over the Eastern Cape.
Due to saturated ground from the past few days’ rainfalls, further rainfall is likely to lead to flooding of roads and informal settlements, which may lead to damage of property and displacement of vulnerable communities, especially in the Cape Winelands, Cape Metropole and Western Overberg. There is also a risk to life due to fast-moving streams, damaged roads and low bridges.
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