Many of the coastal areas in the Western cape, especially around Cape Town, are known for very forceful winds. Severe storms, linked to cold front and low-pressure systems, moving from west to east, occur mainly during the winter months in the south-western Cape. A frontal system or an inland cut-off low pressure system may have a surface wind gusting up to 100 kph or higher.
Gale-force winds may blow for a number of consecutive days during the summer months. Known as the “Cape Doctor”, these south-easterly or southerly winds can reach up to Gale-force in strength, usually blowing on clear, hot and sunny days and they are characterized by the “table cloth” over Table Mountain and the Hottentots-Holland mountains to the east of Cape Town.
Wind Map – Larger South-Western Cape
Use the scale below to help you identify the wind speed:
| Beaufort | Speed (kph) | Speed (knots) | Description | Effects on land and sea |
| 0 | < 1 kph | < 1 knot | Calm | Still, calm air, smoke will rise vertically. Water is mirror-like. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-5 kph | 1-3 knots | Light Air | Rising smoke drifts, wind vane is inactive. Small ripples appear on water surface. |
| 2 | 6-11 kph | 4-6 knots | Light Breeze | Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, wind vanes begin to move. Small wavelets develop, crests are glassy. |
| 3 | 12-19 kph | 7-10 knots | Gentle Breeze | Leaves and small twigs move, light weight flags extend. Large wavelets, crests start to break, some whitecaps. |
| 4 | 20-28 kph | 11-16 knots | Moderate Breeze | Small branches move, raises dust, leaves and paper. Small waves develop, becoming longer, whitecaps. |
| 5 | 29-38 kph | 17-21 knots | Fresh Breeze | Small trees sway. White crested wavelets (whitecaps) form, some spray. |
| 6 | 39-49 kph | 22-27 knots | Strong Breeze | Large tree branches move, telephone wires begin to “whistle”, umbrellas are difficult to keep under control. Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray. |
| 7 | 50-61 kph | 28-33 knots | Moderate or strong Gale | Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk. Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown. |
| 8 | 62-74 kph | 34-40 knots | Gale or Fresh Gale | Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking is difficult. Moderately large waves with blown foam. |
| 9 | 75-88 kph | 41-47 knots | Strong Gale | Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs. High waves (6 metres), rolling seas, dense foam, blowing spray reduces visibility. |
| 10 | 89-102 kph | 48-55 knots | Whole Gale or Storm | Trees are broken or uprooted, building or Storm damage is considerable. Large waves (6-9 metres), overhanging crests, sea becomes white with foam, heavy rolling and reduced visibility. |
| 11 | 103-117 kph | 56-63 knots | Violent Storm | Extensive widespread damage. Large waves (9-14 metres), white foam, with visibility further reduced. |
| 12 | 118+ kph | 64+ knots | Hurricane | Extreme destruction, devastation. Large waves over 14 metres, air filled with foam, sea white with foam and driving spray and little visibility. |