Snow on the radar for South Africa and Lesotho from Thursday

By Staff Writer
Published: 26 August 2026 [updated 6 September]

This forecast covers: Thu 03 Sep – Mon 07 Sep


Snowfall is on the radar for South Africa and Lesotho from Thursday until Monday.

A cut-off low-pressure system is expected to develop over the western interior, resulting in a significant change in weather conditions across several provinces according to the SA Weather Service.

The main days for snowfall during this period are Thursday for the west and Friday, Sunday and Monday for the rest of South Africa and Lesotho.

Heavy snowfall is no longer indicated, but heavy rainfall is also indicated during the period covered by this forecast and six warnings have been issued by the SA Weather Service.

SEE ALSO: Six warnings issued including multiple LEVEL 4s – disruptive rain, thunderstorms, wind and waves.

The latest data indicates the possibility for snowfall across parts of the Western Cape, the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape as well as across parts of Lesotho.

While very heavy snow is no longer indicated, between 10cm and 15cm of snow is possible at higher elevations in the Eastern Cape and Lesotho, as marked in purple on the map.

Snow continues to be indicated for the usual high-peaks in the Western Cape, as well as outside Sutherland in the Northern Cape, but it currently looks fairly light.

The slopes of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape is indicated but NOT at very low elevations. Sani Pass should however get some snow near the top.

Hikers that are expecting to be in the Drakensberg from late next week need to be well prepared for very cold conditions and the possibility of snowed.

This forecast may still change over the coming days.

ALSO READ: Be prepared for safe winter travel and snow chasing trips.


The map indicates where we are seeing the possibility of snow, but it may not fall in all of the areas shown on the map. As with any forecast of any kind (temperature, clouds, rain, wind), what eventually happens may or may not be similar to the forecast. Snow indicated may reduce or vanish completely in some areas, or the dates and times may change.


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