Gauteng could get a very unique type of snow this week, as six provinces face the big freeze
After a week of icy temperatures and freezing conditions, the South African Weather Service is warning that the mercury will plummet once more this week. Persistent rain is likely to reach at least six of our provinces, but there may be something a little colder in store for citizens in Gauteng – a unique type of snow [graupel] is on the radar.
SNOW IN GAUTENG – WHAT IS GRAUPEL?
The South African Weather Service (Saws) has forecast the potential for graupel, and in doing so, pretty much read our minds on the follow-up question. They explain that the term refers to ‘soft particles of snow’, and even elaborated on how it differs from sleet. Both events are expected to happen late on Tuesday afternoon.
⚠️❄ Chance of sleet and graupel in S/C Gauteng and south-eastern North West Province on Tuesday 16 June 2020 late afternoon and/or evening.
❄Graupel: Soft particles of snow with fragile crust of ice; or soft hail.
❄Sleet: Rain containing some ice, when snow melts as it falls— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 15, 2020
‘EXTREME WEATHER’ FOR SOUTH AFRICA THIS WEEK
North West, Free State, Mpumalanga, and regions of Limpopo are all set for deluges, as the snow stays away. But there are established concerns about the rain hitting KZN the hardest. Localised flooding is expected along the north-coast late on Wednesday evening. The cold front will disperse by Friday, and the weather settles ahead of the weekend.
“The cold weather and snow that gripped parts of South Africa during the past days is expected to continue this week over the central and eastern parts, where it will get worse. Heavy rains which can lead to localized flooding are expected along the north coast of KZN into southern Mozambique on Wednesday night into Thursday.
“This will be punctuated by cloudy conditions with showers of rain at times that are expected from Tuesday 16 June until Thursday 18 June, over North West, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and some parts of Limpopo. There’s a chance of graupel [snow] in Gauteng and south-eastern North West on Tuesday.”
“The cause of these extreme conditions is the cut-off low (COL) system which will be situated over Free State on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then moving slowly north-eastwards by Thursday. This system is expected to exit the country on Friday, with temperatures improving to the low twenties from the weekend.”
-Saws statement
