A widespread snowfall event could affect much of South Africa and Lesotho from Sunday through Tuesday, with early forecasts indicating that every South African province has the potential to experience snowfall.
Weather monitoring platform Snow Report Southern Africa said it is closely tracking the development of a multi-day cold weather system that may bring snow to both high-altitude and unusually low-lying areas.
Although forecasters stress that the outlook remains preliminary, current weather models suggest that snow could extend well beyond the country’s traditional mountain regions.
Snow possible across multiple provinces
According to the latest forecast guidance, snowfall is currently being indicated for Gauteng, including Johannesburg, as well as Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
If the forecast materialises, it would rank among the broadest snowfall events of the winter season, affecting areas that rarely experience snow.
Snow Report Southern Africa cautioned that the forecast remains subject to change as additional weather data becomes available over the coming days.
Meteorologists expect to release more detailed forecasts, including projected snowfall accumulations, closer to the event.
Travel disruptions remain a possibility
Current projections indicate that the N3 highway, one of South Africa’s busiest transport routes linking Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, could experience anything from light snowfall to more significant accumulations, particularly on Monday.
Several other major roads are also being monitored for possible snow-related impacts.
Should the current forecast remain consistent, motorists travelling through affected regions may face hazardous driving conditions, slower traffic and potential road closures in areas where snowfall becomes heavier.
Authorities are expected to provide updated travel advisories if conditions deteriorate.
Forecasters emphasised that snowfall maps represent areas where snow is currently considered possible rather than guaranteed.
As with all weather forecasts, changing atmospheric conditions may alter the timing, intensity or geographical coverage of snowfall. In some locations, snow may not develop at all, while other areas could experience different conditions from those currently predicted.
Residents are encouraged to monitor updates from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and other official forecasting agencies as confidence in the forecast improves over the coming days.
Source: Snow Report Southern Africa and South African Weather Service (SAWS)