South Africa: Tropical storm Freddy shows signs of weakening, says SA Weather Service

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South Africa: Tropical storm Freddy shows signs of weakening, says SA Weather Service

12:50 CAT | 24 Feb 2023

FILE - Tropical storm Freddy, image and position on Thursday (23/02/2023). [Image: Twitter / @SAWeatherServic]

South Africans may be spared the worst effects of tropical storm Freddy as it shows signs of weakening over Mozambique.

South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Wayne Venter said the storm started to weaken much faster than forecasters initially anticipated.

Since making landfall in Mozambique, the storm has moved very slowly and will likely dump much of its rainfall before reaching South Africa, according to Venter.

While some parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga were still likely to experience showers, the rainfall was expected to be significantly lower than first predicted, said Venter.

Initial forecasts showed the north-eastern parts of the country could receive 200-400mm of rainfall. This estimate has since been revised to 50-100mm over the next two to three days, according to Venter.

Recent flooding in Limpopo and Mpumalanga make those provinces more vulnerable to further flooding.

However, Venter cautioned South Africans that the storm could still worsen, and the forecast could change.

Venter said:

Things do change quite quickly with these types of storms. They can be quite fickle and difficult to predict. We could see it change for either the better or the worse. We advise the public to be aware and keep an eye on the SAWS warnings and forecasts.
At least four people died after Freddy made landfall in Madagascar on Wednesday. The storm has since made landfall in Mozambique.

Monitors have described Freddy as one of the longest lasting storms in recent times, skirting past Reunion Island and Mauritius late on Monday without causing major damage.

Freddy developed northwest of Australia and south of Indonesia during the first week of February, and is in its third week trekking across the Indian Ocean.