A passing storm brings icy weather

Yesterday started off sunny as predicted, but by mid-morning it was clear that the severe cold front that had been predicted to hit us by 4pm was on the way. An impressive vanguard of low cloud swept in from the west and the wind increased its speed steadily until, as forecast, it reached almost galeforce and the first heavy rain slashed across the Peninsula.

And then, almost as suddenly as it started, it waned to a gentle, steady rain and the wind all but disappeared. From time to time, the rain became heavier, but didn't last. This heralded the swing of wind direction to south west, which brings in the freezing Antarctic air across the South Atlantic, and the temperature fell dramatically. The best thing to do was have an early night and hope that today would dawn sunny and clear.




 Despite strong winds and flooding across the Peninsula and snow on the high-lying areas, Kommetjie was by no means battered by the storm, as it seems to have its own little micro climate, no doubt because it isn't affected by the mountain chain which runs from Cape Town to Cape Point.

The sea was a deep green and the white breakers were worthy of a detergent advert as the sun bounced and sparkled off the heaving swells. A fishing boat, apparently wanting to be first at the fishing grounds, disappeared from view as it plunged into the troughs, then rose like a cork to teeter over the crest of the next swell.

An afternoon walk along the beachfront was both freezing and invigorating, as snow fell on Table Mountain during the day and much of the rain that fell turned to hail as it crossed the Peninsula.

But as you can see, we don't go long without seeing the sun, even in the most wintry of weather!