Beaches reopen, but temperatures set to drop
The Natal Sharks Board has reinstalled shark nets along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. This follows their removal last week ahead of predicted bad weather and rough seas.
According to the board, the nets were removed to avoid damage from high swells.
Greg Thompson, Operations Manager at the Natal Sharks Board, said the nets had been replaced on Sunday.
"It's safe to go swimming, but it is best to consult the local lifeguards," Thompson said.
With the approach of winter conditions are expected over the entire province, according to the SA Weather Service.
Temperatures are also expected to plummet.
Forecaster Colin Anderson said that sunny, fine conditions were expected over the next three days with no rainfall. However, while the days would be warm and dry, temperatures would drop sharply at night.
"These conditions are typical of the first few days of winter," Anderson said.
The current weather cycle is expected to continue until Thursday and Friday. Colder conditions are expected over the western KwaZulu-Natal high ground, in Underberg, Ladysmith and Newcastle. At night, temperatures will drop as low as 1 degree Celsius in Pietermaritzburg, and 12 degree Celsius in Richards Bay. Durban temperatures are expected to fall to 11 degree Celsius.
The first snows of the winter season made their appearance at the weekend as a smattering of snow settled on the high peaks of the southern and northern Drakensberg.
Ray Watt, of Thabo's Tours, which takes people on 4x4 trips up Sani Pass, said that light snow had fallen on Saturday.
"It was clearly visible on Sunday morning on Giant's Cup, the 12 Apostles and further up towards Matatiele," Watt said.
Meanwhile, mild autumn weather after the cold snap on Saturday saw large numbers of holidaymakers at Richards Bay's main beach on Monday.
Swimming was allowed again after a ban on bathing on Sunday after the shark nets had been removed because of expected rough seas.
Beaches and resorts along the Zululand coast were also full, with local and upcountry visitors packed into St Lucia Estuary and Cape Vidal.
