GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route may be heading into spring, but the weather is set to deliver a reminder that September can still produce some decidedly wintry conditions.

From Riversdale in the west to Plettenberg Bay in the east, Saturday and Sunday are expected to be cool, cloudy and wet in varying degrees, with the biggest change likely to be the drop in temperatures as the weekend progresses.

For residents and visitors planning outdoor activities, the message is fairly simple: keep the rain jacket close and don't put the winter clothes away just yet.

A wet start to the weekend

Saturday is expected to bring unsettled conditions across much of the Garden Route.

Riversdale is forecast to cool sharply from Friday, with temperatures dropping to around the high teens during the day and cooler conditions overnight. Further east, the rain becomes more prominent, with showers expected across the central Garden Route.

Plettenberg Bay is currently forecast to receive moderate rain on Saturday, with temperatures reaching around 19°C.

The Garden Route National Park area is also expected to experience mixed weather over the weekend, with rain and humidity likely to affect outdoor activities.

Sunday could feel more like winter

The bigger change arrives on Sunday, when temperatures are expected to fall further.

Plettenberg Bay is forecast to reach only around 17°C, with further light rain, while other parts of the Garden Route are also expected to remain cool and unsettled. 

Another current forecast puts Plett's Sunday maximum at about 18°C, with several millimetres of rain possible.

The combination of cloud, rain and lower temperatures means that even where rainfall is intermittent, it could feel considerably colder than the warmer spring days experienced recently.

For anyone heading out along the coast, conditions may also change quickly, so checking the latest local forecast before setting off would be wise.

Not all bad news for spring lovers

There is a brighter side to the forecast.

The current outlook suggests that the cooler spell will not last indefinitely. Conditions are expected to start improving after the weekend, with temperatures rising again during the week.

That makes this weekend more of a temporary spring setback than a return to winter.

And for gardens, dams and the region's natural environment, further rainfall is certainly welcome after a period in which water and changing seasonal conditions have remained important concerns across the Garden Route.

A weekend for slower plans

For those who had planned a long hike, beach day or outdoor gathering, the weather may require a rethink.

But a wet Garden Route weekend has its own appeal: a warm fire, a pot of soup, a good book, a movie afternoon or simply watching the rain roll across the mountains can be just as much a part of spring on the southern Cape coast.

Just remember that wet weather can also mean slippery roads and reduced visibility, particularly when travelling between towns.

With conditions expected to vary along the route, motorists should check the latest forecast before setting out and allow extra time when roads are wet.

From Riversdale to Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route's weekend outlook is shaping up as cool, cloudy and wet – but hopefully only temporarily.

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