The Mother City’s famous southeaster, otherwise known as the Cape Doctor, was gusting at an unseasonal 40 to 50 kilometres per hour on Wednesday, causing the closure of some main routes.

The City of Cape Town traffic chief Kenny Africa said: ”The winds are extra strong so we have closed the Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 and motorists must use alternate routes.”

This was after four trucks were blown over by the wind near the tunnel on Tuesday night.

The Bain’s Kloof Pass was also closed after trees were blown onto the road.

Chapman’s Peak is still closed after a six ton wedge of weathered sandstone became dislodged, according to the City of Cape Town’s department of transport.

Weather forecaster Kate Turner said that although Capetonians are used to the wind, it is unusual to experience such a strong southeaster at this time of year.

”We normally get this in summer, it is a bit out of the ordinary,” she said.