The South African Weather Service forecasts widespread precipitation, snowfall, and frost across large parts of the country on Tuesday, issuing warnings of dangerous weather conditions for the provinces of Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.
Residents of South Africa should prepare for another day of harsh winter weather on Tuesday, as snow, heavy rain, gusty winds, and very low temperatures are expected in large areas of the country.
The Weather Service warned that the most severe conditions are likely in the Eastern Cape, where a Level 6 warning for blizzards has been issued.
Heavy snow is expected in parts of eMalahleni, Sakhexiswa, Senku, Elundini, and Matatile, which could lead to serious disruptions in transport, temporary road closures, and inaccessibility of certain settlements.
The probability of precipitation will be highest in the eastern territories of the country. Mpumalanga will face chances of widespread rain and downpours from 60% to 80%, while KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern half of the Eastern Cape may expect a 60% chance of rain, which increases to widespread fall along the coast.
Extremely cold weather is expected in most regions of South Africa on Tuesday. Gauteng is forecast to have a 30% chance of showers and rain, and Free State has a 30% chance of showers, which could rise to 60% in the eastern areas.
Snow is expected in the mountainous areas of the Eastern Cape and on the western uplands of KwaZulu-Natal; light snowfall is also possible in areas bordering Lesotho, in the Free State. Light snowfall may occur in Beaufort West of the Western Cape in the morning.
Very cold conditions are forecast in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and most of the Eastern Cape, with strong winds expected to exacerbate the situation.
Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, stormy winds and rough seas may disrupt maritime activities and navigation, and later in the day, gale-force winds are expected along part of the Western Cape coast.
In Gauteng, residents can expect a cloudy, cold, or very cold day with scattered showers. Mpumalanga will remain cloudy and cold with widespread rain, while Limpopo is forecast to have isolated or scattered thunderstorms, especially in the southeast.
The North West will be cool and windy with isolated rain and thunderstorms.
The Weather Service advised drivers, farmers, and residents of affected areas to take necessary precautions, as the combination of snow, rain, strong winds, and sub-zero temperatures can lead to dangerous travel conditions, livestock losses, and disruptions to essential services.
Severe weather phenomena, including heavy snowfall, rain, wet snow, and icy conditions, are disrupting transport across several provinces in South Africa, leading to the closure of numerous major routes. Drivers are strongly advised to exercise maximum caution.
South Africa has faced turbulent weather conditions caused by significant precipitation and snowfall, triggering disruptions in various regions. The KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces have been most affected, with numerous main roads closed due to snowfall. Snow was also recorded in parts of the Western Cape, while wet snow and other adverse conditions were observed in Free State, Mpumalanga, and other provinces.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation issued an urgent appeal to drivers to exercise extreme caution under the prevailing conditions. In a statement published on Monday afternoon, the organization reported on roads affected by adverse weather.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the N3 road is closed between Estcourt and Harrismith in the Free State. Drivers are not advised to use the N3 for trips to KZN. Additionally, the road is closed in the Midmar/Howick area.
Additional issues include: Pass Van Reenen, which is extremely dangerous due to black ice, and movement is not recommended; the R617 road is closed between Kokstad and Onderberg after a truck got stuck in King'scote, and traffic has been diverted to the R56; the R74 road is closed between Harrismith and Bergville on the Oliver'shoek pass; the R74 (Greytown/Colenso) is closed due to heavy snowfall in Santa Maria; and sections of R103 and the Tollgate to Tugela are completely closed due to harsh weather. On the section from Lions River to Nottingham, conditions are very difficult, and traffic is moving at about 20 km/h.
The following roads are completely closed in the Eastern Cape: N6 (Penhook Pass) between Komani (Queenstown) and Jamestown; N9 (Lootsberg Pass) between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg; R58 (Barkly Pass) between Elliot and Barkley East; and Boysmanshoek Pass between Sterkfontein and Molteno.
On the N3 section between Harrismith and Van Reenen Pass, extreme caution should be exercised. Emergency crews are spraying salt on all lanes to prevent black ice formation. Wet snow and rain are occurring between Warden and Mooi River, and there is a layer of snow visible in Swinburne, so drivers are urged to immediately reduce speed. The R74 road on the Oliver'shoek pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, is considered a high-risk zone. Although the route was previously passable, conditions deteriorate rapidly towards the KZN border. Ice crusts have affected routes around the Matatili border and regional roads in the southern Free State, and mountain passes may be temporarily closed.
In most areas of Mpumalanga, traffic is operating normally. However, Long Tom Pass on the R37 road was closed after several vehicles got stuck on slippery ascents, and road services blocked access from both sides. At the N4/N12 interchange, traffic is open but extremely dangerous. Emergency services reported numerous accidents due to poor visibility and wet, icy road surfaces. On the Belfast, Dalstroom, and Russenekal (R540) sections, traffic is open, but extreme caution is required. Light snow and heavy wet snow have affected the road shoulders, creating potentially icy patches. Volksrust and Ermelo report drizzling rain and localized icy conditions, and strong crosswinds are affecting high-sided vehicles.
Traffic in the Western Cape is moderate, but Swartberg Pass and the Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads are closed due to snow.
In other parts of South Africa, traffic is running smoothly in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and North Cape, although some areas are experiencing cold and damp conditions.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of weather warnings due to low pressure affecting several provinces. These warnings include forecasts for heavy rain, flooding, and snow.
SAWS has declared a Level 6 warning for destructive rainfall that could lead to the inundation of roads, bridges, and settlements, as well as damage to infrastructure and property along the coast and adjacent inland areas between East London in the Eastern Cape and Cape Vidal in KwaZulu-Natal. Additionally, an Orange Level 5 warning has been issued for destructive snowfall in the extreme northeastern highlands of the Eastern Cape, which may cause transport disruptions, failures in essential services, and temporary isolation of some communities.
A Yellow Level 2 warning is also in effect for destructive snowfall in the northeastern highlands of the Eastern Cape and the Drakensberg region in KwaZulu-Natal. An additional Yellow Level 2 warning for destructive rainfall covers the southeastern parts of the Eastern Cape and eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal, excluding the far northeast of the province, where localized flooding of roads, bridges, and settlements, as well as infrastructure damage, is possible.
The weather service reported that from Wednesday evening, very cold and humid conditions are expected in parts of the Eastern Cape, southern KwaZulu-Natal, southern Free State, and border areas with Lesotho. Light snow is forecast in these regions as the low pressure system moves in, with weather expected to improve from the west by Thursday.
Farmers have been advised to take preventive measures to minimize potential damage from adverse weather conditions. Other areas are expected to see variable cloudiness and cool or cold weather with isolated showers and rain in Gauteng. Mist is expected along the escarpment in Mpumalanga and Limpopo with cool conditions and scattered showers.
Free State is forecast to be cold with isolated or scattered rain and thunderstorms, with possible light snow along the border with Lesotho. The Northern Cape will be cold or cool, with very cold conditions in the southern sections and isolated or scattered rain in the southeast; light snow is also possible in the far southeast of the province.
The Western Cape is expected to have good or variable cloudiness and cool or warm weather, although some areas of the Central Karoo will be cold. Overall, the Eastern Cape is expected to have cloudy, cold, or very cold conditions, with widespread rain in the eastern half and snowfall in the mountainous areas. KwaZulu-Natal will remain cloudy and cold or cool with scattered rain and showers, and only isolated precipitation is expected in the far northeast.
SAWS also specified that there are currently no fire danger warnings in effect.
