GARDEN ROUTE NEWS -  Don't pack away the blankets just yet! If you were hoping for a sunny Women's Day weekend, the weather has other plans. 

A spell of cold air, rain and gusty winds are set to spread across the Western Cape, with the Garden Route keeping a close eye on the forecast. 

Gerhard Otto, Garden Route District Municipality Disaster Management head, said while the region is currently only under an advisory, residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware as conditions could take a wintry turn. 

The cold weather is expected to affect parts of the Western and Northern Cape from Sunday into Monday. Temperatures have already started dropping. 

According to the South African Weather Service (Saws), daytime temperatures could drop to between 8°C and 10°C in parts of the Western Cape, with snowfall possible over mountain areas and rough seas along the south coast. 

The cold, wet and windy conditions could make temperatures feel even lower, while vulnerable livestock, crops and people exposed to the cold may be at risk, said Saws.

Otto said, no weather warning has been issued. "At present, the status for our area is still an advisory. We are monitoring the system closely and expect the South African Weather Service to provide an update tomorrow on its intensity. Any necessary actions will then be taken, if required." 

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