Cape Town residents can expect traffic delays and poor visibility on the roads for the next few days as the South African Weather Service predicts heavy rains and possibly snow.

The public have also been encouraged to stay clear of piers and promenades due to excessive swells - over 5 meters, and gale-force winds. Browse the links provided for more of the City of Cape Town's news or visit CBN for other business related articles. 

City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre closely monitoring adverse weather

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is closely monitoring a well developed cold front warning issued by the South African Weather Service at the Cape Town International Airport. The severe weather associated with this weather system has been tied down with the following warnings which have been issued during the course of the past week:

•Gale-force westerly winds (35kts, 65km/h) are expected in places over the Western Cape Province during today, 18 August 2009.

•Rough sea conditions with swells in excess of 5 metres are expected to set in from this afternoon, Tuesday 18 August 2009, spreading from Lamberts Bay to Cape Agulhas.

•Heavy falls of rain in excess of 50mm are also expected.

•Very cold, wet and windy conditions are expected to set in over the western parts of the Western Cape Province.

•Snowfalls possible on the western high-ground of the Western Cape from today, Tuesday 18 August into Wednesday, 19 August 2009.

Members of the public should also avoid going close to piers and promenades on the coastal zones of the Atlantic Seaboard, Sea Point/Mouille Point area, the False Bay coastline and Strand/Gordon’s Bay area. It is anticipated that the inclement weather conditions will settle down by Saturday, 22 August 2009. The Disaster Risk Management Centre is co-ordinating with the relevant role-players regarding preparedness for this weather warning. Disaster response teams can be activated city-wide and are ready to be deployed to support disaster response and recovery operations. Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions can be reported to the City’s all hours Technical Operations Centre at 0860 103 054.

In the event of a life- or property threatening emergency, contact 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cell phone