The NSRI has shared a weather warning issued by The South African Weather Service, which states parts of SA will be battered by damaging waves.
South Africa (04 June 2021) – Winter storms are brewing, and the weather is turning, so it is very normal to start receiving weather warnings as we get closer to that miserable cold. This warning has been shared with us via the NSRI in the hopes of alerting the public to the dangers of the ocean during this time.
‘The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a ‘level 1 warning’ for damaging waves valid from Friday 4 June until Saturday 5 June between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay from Friday evening into Saturday morning.
These waves may pose a danger to rock anglers and the public on low lying rocks along the shoreline.
A very high wave period of 18 to 20 seconds with wave heights of 3 to 3.5 meters is expected. The swell will be predominantly Southerly to South Westerly and are expected between Table Bay and Plettenberg Bay from Friday evening into Saturday morning.
In addition, the experimental SAWS rip current forecast system, the result of extensive collaboration between various partners*, indicates a high likelihood of strong rip currents around the Cape Peninsula from late Friday into Saturday.”
* A partnership between Stellenbosch University, the NSRI, South African Weather Service, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South African Environment Observation Network, City of Cape Town, Lifesaving South Africa and the University of Plymouth has yielded an experimental rip current forecasting system. It is envisaged that his system will go live, producing routine forecasts for a pilot site towards the end of 2021.
Caution around the coast is advised during this time.’
Please stay safe during the bad weather spells we are facing, and be sure to keep your animals indoors. If you have the means to, be sure to support your chosen charity through this cold season by making meaningful donations that will offer loads of warmth.
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