Snow has fallen and more expected for Lesotho from Wednesday

20 April 2025 [updated 23 April]
By Staff Writer


Temperatures are likely to drop down to below zero in the Lesotho high-ground from Monday due to a cut-off low and snow that may result in very challenging driving is possible from early this week.

From Tuesday and into Thursday snow is currently indicated in the east and north-east of Lesotho, including around Afriski Mountain Resort and the top of Sani Pass as per the map, with Wednesday being the day with the most snowfall possible.

Anything from light snow in the areas marked in white on the map up to 30cm of accumulated snowfall is possible in areas marked in blue.

SEE PHOTOS: Snow falls in Lesotho this week.

Depending on the level that the snow falls at, roads at higher elevations (particularly the A1 and the A31) in the east of Lesotho MAY be covered in snow from late on Tuesday and especially on Wednesday. The snow may last a few days unless it is melted by rain so consider this if you are planning to drive between Sani Pass to Afriski.

Anyone hiking and camping in the Drakensberg or planning to this week may want to watch our forecast updates closely as they may be at risk for getting snowed in at high elevations should conditions unfold as per some data.

Because the freezing level is very high the snow may be fairly wet and combined with strong winds this raises the risk of hypothermia for anyone caught outside in this weather.

In the Eastern Cape the high-peaks near Rhodes, including Naude's Nek Pass and Tiffindell Ski Resort (closed) may get up to 5cm of snow on Thursday. The high-ground in the south-west of Lesotho might also get some light snow during this period.

While the freezing level is currently indicated as quite high, it's always possible that snow falls lower than the data indicates. If the freezing level increases only a small amount though this could result in a lot of rain falling at road level in Lesotho instead of snow.

NO very low-level snow is expected in South Africa.

The SA Weather Service has confirmed that a cut-off low (COL) system is expected to make landfall over the western interior of South Africa on Wednesday and is expected to move slowly eastwards, exiting the country by Saturday.

SEE ALSO: Cut-off low arrives from Wednesday with low temperatures, four thunderstorm warnings and snow.

This would now be the third snowfall of 2025, with snow falling on the Swartberg mountains near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape in late March and in Lesotho in the week leading up to Easter.

If you are planning to travel into Lesotho this week it is vital to prepare for the conditions by reading our article on safe winter travel.

Note that this forecast may still change. It may reduce or vanish completely in some areas, or the timing may change.


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.


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