Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas can expect snow and rain over the weekend of 29 and 30 July. This was according to Kate Turner, from the Cape Town branch of the South African Weather Service, in an interview with SMF News.
“Between 2 to 5 cm of snow is predicted to fall in high lying areas [around Stellenbosch],” said Turner. Heavier snowfall is expected in the mountains further north of Stellenbosch, where approximately 15cm is likely to fall, stated Turner.
Water droplets in clouds must freeze before they condense, for the droplets to become snow. If they freeze after condensing, they will become hail, explained Dr Mark Tadross, a senior research officer at the department of environmental and geographical sciences at the University of Cape Town. PHOTO: Daniel Roodt
Necessary conditions for snowfall
The incoming cold front this weekend is expected to bring in cold air from the Southern Ocean, which is why snow is predicted during this weekend. This was according to Dr Mark Tadross, a senior research officer at the department of environmental and geographical sciences at the University of Cape Town, in an interview with SMF News.
“Snow typically falls when the air temperature in clouds is below 3℃,” said Tadross. The air temperature on the ground also needs to be at a similar level, which is why the top of the mountains tend to receive snowfall, explained Tadross.
An increased number of cold fronts this year has caused the Western Cape to experience a colder than average winter. This was according to Dr Mark Tadross, a senior research officer at the department of environmental and geographical sciences at the University of Cape Town. GRAPHIC: Daniel Roodt
Short-lived snowfall
The current snowfall is not predicted to last for more than a few days, said Tadross. There needs to be cold air temperatures and a lack of rain for snow to last, according to Tadross.
Rainfall is, however, also predicted throughout the weekend, said Turner. The mountains around Stellenbosch are predicted to receive between 40mm and 50mm of rain, stated Turner.
The town itself is expected to receive around 20mm, with the bulk of the rain falling on the evening of 28 July and the morning of 29 July, said Turner.
Snow must fall at the end of a cold front for the snow to last longer, otherwise it will typically be washed away by rain, said Dr Mark Tadross, a senior research officer at the department of environmental and geographical sciences at the University of Cape Town. PHOTO: Daniel Roodt
Impact of cold weather
Low-lying areas in Stellenbosch have a higher risk of being affected by the rainfall, said Jaco Thuynsmama, from the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s fire services, in an interview with SMF News.
The likelihood of damaging fires occurring in informal settlements also increases, as more fires are lit to keep people warm, said Thuynsmama.