Weather: These areas face dangerous conditions and rough seas on Thursday

Motorists and people heading to the coast should prepare for difficult conditions as an intense cut-off low moves over parts of South Africa from Thursday.

The system will bring very cold, wet and windy weather to parts of the Western and Northern Cape, with heavy rain, damaging winds and rough seas expected in some areas.

Roads could be affected

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall over the Overberg and Garden Route district municipalities in the Western Cape on Thursday.

The rain could cause flooding on roads and in settlements, with major disruptions to traffic expected in affected areas.

A Yellow Level 2 warning is also in place for disruptive rain over parts of the Eastern Cape, including Kou-Kamma, Kouga and Nelson Mandela Bay municipalities.

The rain could cause localised flooding of settlements, roads, low-lying areas and bridges.

Motorists should allow extra travel time and avoid crossing flooded roads or bridges.

Weather: Strong winds could disrupt travel

SAWS has also issued a Yellow Level 4 warning for damaging winds from Thursday afternoon into Friday.

The warning covers Namakwa District Municipality in the Northern Cape and parts of the Cape Winelands, Central Karoo and Little Karoo in the Western Cape.

The strong winds could damage temporary structures, create dangerous flying debris and affect transport routes and travel services.

People travelling through these areas should take extra care, particularly on exposed roads.

Coastal areas face dangerous conditions

The cut-off low will also affect coastal areas, with SAWS warning of damaging winds and waves between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay from Thursday into Friday.

The conditions could disrupt ports and harbours and create dangerous conditions for people at sea.

Beachgoers, anglers and boat users should check the latest weather and sea conditions before heading out.

Tide times for Thursday 3 September

For readers along the coast, we are also adding tide times as a practical guide to coastal conditions.

Port Nolloth, Northern Cape:

• High tide:

  06:59

• Low tide:

  12:51

• High tide:

  19:21

Cape Town, Western Cape:

• High tide:

  0

  6:55

• Low tide: 12:52

• High tide: 19:20

Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape:

• High tide: 07:06
• Low tide: 13:01
• High tide: 19:32

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal:

• High tide:

  07:08

• Low tide: 13:01

• High tide: 19:28

Conditions could change as the system develops, so residents and travellers should continue checking the latest SAWS forecasts and warnings.