Weather forecasters watching out for 'scorpion's tail' along Garden Route

Mandy Weiner speaks to Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster at the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

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The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued several alerts and warnings for the country.

These are mainly for wind and disruptive rainfall over the western and southern parts of Mzansi.

The Western Cape has been struck by a treacherous storm with gale force winds, the impact of which has seen cars blown from the roads and roofs being blown off houses.

"We've got quite a large and intense weather system currently affecting South Africa. It's what we call a cut off low pressure, but it's really just an intense weather system."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS

"It's generally linked to hazardous impact...these are not good weather systems, they do bring about a large amount of rainfall, strong winds and possibility of thunderstorms."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS

The highest level warning being issued by the SAWS is currently Level 9.

"This is for the Overberg District as well as the southern part of the Cape Winelands...There's a lot of rain expected."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS

Viljoen explains that recent fires in the region have left very little vegetation, leaving the area vulnerable to rock falls and mudslides during the heavy rain.

"Also, we are also expecting strong winds, so now we've got saturated ground and strong winds and that means we can see uprooting of trees and they can fall on cars, homes and block roads."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS

The good news is that, for some of us at least, things do look set to start clearing up from tomorrow (Tuesday).

"Cape Town, the City itself, is going to be dry, the focus is more along the Cape South Coast, the Garden Route area is what we're going to be keeping an eye on."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS

Viljoen explains how forecasters are keeping their eyes on the Garden Route and something called the 'scorpion's tail', so called because of how it appears on satellite imagery.

"And what does a scorpion's tail do? It likes to sting. So, we're keeping a close eye on the Garden Route, because... we've got that on-shore flow of strong winds and therefore more rainfall."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS

"But from Wednesday, rapid clearance as this whole system moves away."

Elizabeth Viljoen, Chief Forecaster- SAWS