South Africa weather in this week will show how volatile this time of year can be, there will affect the temperatures, there will be rain and snow elsewhere while heavy rain and thunderstorms will also be experienced.
A moderately strong cold front made landfall on the west coast on Tuesday and another similar front will reach the country later on Wednesday, bringing colder and more wet weather to some areas in the Cape provinces.
During the second half of this week, a high pressure ridging far to the south behind these slow-moving fronts will push even colder air into these provinces.
At the same time, a deepening low pressure will form over the interior, drawing even more of the cold air inland.
Thursday will be very cold and wet in the west with snow over the high ground of the Northern and Western Cape.
Heavier rain is expected to start affecting parts of the Eastern Cape from the afternoon with up to 60mm possible for some areas closer to the coast.
While still cold and wet on Friday, lighter showers are expected for the Eastern Cape.
A secondary low that develops south of the country, is currently expected to bring significant rain to the Eden District in the Western Cape.
This rain will spread to the drought-stricken Koukamma and Kouga municipalities of the Eastern Cape later in the day into Saturday morning.
Snow continues to fall on the high ground of the Northern and Western Cape Karoo, including areas close to Sutherland, Fraserberg and Beaufort West.
A gradual clearance of rain and snow takes place over these areas during Saturday afternoon and evening.
While the highveld escapes the worst of the cold snap the region will cool by a few degrees on Friday with thundershowers spreading from the Free State and North West to Gauteng and Limpopo.
Thunderstorms develop again on Saturday over the eastern parts of the country and current predictions indicate a potential for stronger thunderstorms over Mpumalanga and KZN.