WEATHER: Strong winds to hit four provinces as snow looms in the Cape

Strong winds will affect parts of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State until Friday, causing difficult driving conditions and localised damage.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) warns that the winds could damage settlements and disrupt power and communications in affected areas.

Light snowfall is also possible over the high-lying areas of the Western Cape as the weather turns colder.

Strong winds could disrupt travel

The strongest winds will affect the southern Northern Cape and northern Western Cape.

The warning also covers the Cape Winelands, Central Karoo and Little Karoo districts of the Western Cape, as well as parts of the Eastern Cape and the eastern and southern Free State.

SAWS warns that the winds could cause localised damage to settlements and interrupt power and communications.

Motorists could also face difficult driving conditions, particularly in exposed areas where strong winds affect visibility and vehicle stability.

Snow possible over high-lying areas

While most of the warning focuses on damaging winds, SAWS says light snowfall is possible over the high-lying areas of the Western Cape.

Snow will remain limited to higher-lying areas rather than the Western Cape as a whole.

The combination of strong winds and colder conditions could make travel uncomfortable and hazardous in exposed and mountainous areas.

Conditions continue until Friday

The windy conditions are expected to persist across the affected areas until Friday.

Residents in areas covered by the warning should remain alert for localised damage, power interruptions and difficult driving conditions as the system moves through.