Widespread snowfall possible for South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia this week

By Staff Writer
Published: 3 May 2026

This forecast covers: Tue 05 May – Thu 07 May


Snowfall is indicated across a number of South African provinces, as well as Lesotho and Namibia from Tuesday, through Wednesday and into Thursday this week.

In South Africa the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal are currently on the radar for possible snow but with the freezing level only dropping as low as 2200m the snow will not be very low-level.

Areas in South Africa where over 10cm of snow are possible on the high-ground or mountains are marked in purple on the map, and the hotspots are currently around Beaufort West, Loxton, Richmond, Dordrecht, Lady Grey, and Rhodes.

Snow is also indicated for the high-ground or mountains around places like Ceres, De Doorns, Sutherland, Fraserburg, Carnavon, De Aar, Middelburg, Nieu-Bethesda, Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Hogsback, Queenstown, Molteno, Barkly East, Khowa (Elliot), Zastron, Philippolis, Noupoort and Clarens.

Most of the higher ground in Lesotho is indicated to receive light snowfall, but some areas may get over 10cm as marked in purple on the map. Afriski and the top of Sani Pass are indicated to receive some snowfall.

Very strong wind is also indicated for the parts of the interior on Wednesday, when most of the snow is expected, and this will result in a significant wind chill effect.

More detail will be added to this forecast shortly, including specific dates for the snowfall for each region.

Significant rainfall is also expected in some areas during this period, with over 100mm indicated and some models showing over 250mm for the Garden Route, Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape. We expect that the SA Weather Service will issue severe weather warnings shortly for this rainfall, which is likely to result in flooding if the models are correct.

Farmers with livestock at higher elevations and those expecting to be hiking in the mountains might want to monitor our updates regularly.

This forecast is expected to change before the first snowfall arrives, so check our website or social media for updates regularly.

See below more maps with zoomed in regional sections.

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

SEE ALSO: Snow fell in the Western Cape in April as expected. Click here for photos.


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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