No snow for Joburg

Warmer weather is on the way for Joburg, according to the SA Weather Service, which has ruled out any possibility of snow. The city will also be dry.
JOBURGERS can take back their snow boots and coats because they will not be building any snowmen this year.

Temperatures are expected to start rising on Tuesday, according to Lulama Menze, a forecaster at the South African Weather Service. Menze was speaking after a large hail storm thrashed Joburg today.

Menze explained that even though temperatures would be on the climb, residents would not feel an immediate change in temperature because it would still be a bit chilly tomorrow.

“Residents in Joburg can expect dry conditions tomorrow. We are only expecting rains in the early hours of the morning in parts of KwaZulu-Natal,” she explained.

The rain was normal but the cold was abnormal because temperatures were supposed to be warming up by this time of year.

The last snowfall in Joburg was recorded in June 2007, when temperatures dropped below freezing and flights were grounded out of OR Tambo International Airport. This was the first snow in the city in more than 25 years. The last snow before then was in September 1981.

Emergency management services (EMS) has advised people to dress up warmly to avoid getting sick, and be wary of illegal electricity use.

“In the next couple of days we advise people to be mindful and avoid illegal connections because all the recent fires that were reported were caused by illegal connections to electricity,” said the EMS media liaison officer, Percy Morokane.

He explained that even though connecting illegally was perceived as getting free electricity, it was actually very costly as it usually ended up taking away lives.

He advised homeowners to ensure that their electrical appliances were in good working order because faulty appliances could cause fires. Turning to pedestrians, he said they must hold their umbrellas in such a way that they could clearly see the road in front of them.