Mother City bracing for 'beast' of a storm [You can comment on this story]
May 14 2009 at 06:34AM
Submit your comment
By Caryn Dolley
Cape Town is bracing for massive cold fronts that are set to hit the peninsula this weekend, bringing "absolutely huge waves" and gale-force winds.
The pending storm is expected to be so severe that disaster management workers are already on full alert and rescue organisations have warned hikers to avoid mountain paths and bathers and sailors to exercise caution when at sea.
But while sea-goers may be deterred by the predicted sea swells, big wave surfers say they will make the most of it.
Yesterday Steve Pike, a surf forecaster who tracks the weather, said "a massive storm" was expected when a double cold front hits at the weekend.
Continued Below ?
"During the first part of Saturday there'll be fresh winds and some rain. It’s nothing major but there will be strong winds.
“The swell actually starts arriving during the day and you can expect waves to reach six metres.
“By Sunday, when the second part of the storm hits, waves may reach eight metres and there’ll be even more vicious gale-force winds,†he said.
SA Weather Service forecaster Carlton Fillis said “a very windy episode†with waves reaching seven metres was expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas on Saturday and Sunday.
City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre
spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said if a warning was issued steps would be put in place in case the centre needed to assist any residents affected by the storm.
National Ports Authority spokesperson Coen Birkenstock said if a “serious storm†was to hit, it would issue a warning but this had not yet been necessary.
NSRI, however, yesterday warned sea-users to be extra cautious as wind speeds were expected to reach more than 50 knots and swells in the deep sea more than nine metres.
[email protected]
