Staff Reporter
Temperatures in some parts of the Free State could drop to as low as -8 °C Wednesday before the weather gradually starts improving later in the week, the South Africa Weather Service (SAWS) has warned.
SAWS forecaster Axinia Sethabela told The Free Stater that the minimum temperature in Ficksburg could be as low as -8 °C with a chance of frost in several parts of the province.
“We have issued a warning for heavy frost as temperatures are expected to drop significantly tomorrow,” Sethabela said.
She said big temperature drops were also expected in Bloemfontein and Fouriesburg which could be as low as -7 °C in the morning.
Kroonstad and Bethlehem could have minimum temperatures of about -6 °C.
“The weather is expected to start improving over the next two days and this is typical winter weather,” Sethabela said.
“There is nothing unusual about it. Farmers don’t really need to worry. It’s just the heavy frost we are expecting tomorrow. The wind speeds are expected to slow down as we go forward.”
Sethabela said Tuesday morning’s sharp drop in temperatures which saw parts of the province getting some light snow was a result of a cold front which recently hit the southern parts of the Northern Cape.
There were reports of light snow falling in parts of Bloemfontein and Clocolan to the east.
“The cold front left some cold conditions in central South Africa but conditions should start improving now,” the weather forecaster said.
Light snow falls are also expected today in the southern parts of the province.
There is a small chance of rain owing to the light snow fall but, according to Sethabela, most parts of the province are expected to remain dry.