Heavy low-level disruptive snow from Sunday and many severe weather warnings

1 July 2024 [updated 7 July]
By Staff Writer


A newer snow forecast can be found here.

Widespread snowfall is expected in four South African provinces and Lesotho from this weekend, with heavy low-level snow indicated for some areas. Snow has already fallen this week on some peaks in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape and we've posted photos of low-level snowfall in Sutherland on Sunday already.

This forecast covers Sunday and Monday but the snowfall will continue throughout the week and another forecast will be posted to cover this period.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued disruptive snowfall warnings for various municipal regions on Sunday.

SAWS has issued a yellow level 4 warning for disruptive snow leading to disruption and closure of mountain passes over the Hantam, Karoo Hoogland (Northern Cape), Cederberg municipalities including the Cape Winelands district in the Western Cape and over the northern parts of the Eastern Cape.

The Western Cape will see significant low-level snowfall through Sunday and Monday.

This includes the peaks and high mountain passes around Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Franschhoek, Worcestor, De Doorns, Villiersdorp, Grabouw, Greyton, Genadendal, Robertson, Montagu, as well the Cederberg and the Koue Bokkeveld.

The freezing level looks set to drop to almost 1000m and this means snow would be reachable by ordinary vehicles in places, including at Matroosberg Reserve outside Ceres which could see more than 35cm at the reception level.

Up to 75cm of snow is currently indicated for the highest parts of the Hex River range and heavy snow is possible for many of the high-peaks in the region. The snow on mountain has likely been falling since late on Saturday evening but the low-level snow for the Western Cape should start falling from late morning or the afternoon.

Beaufort West, Murraysburg, Swellendam and the Swartberg range from Ladismith and towards the east past De Rust are currently in the possible snow zone. The Swartberg Pass between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert is likely to get a few centimeters of snow on Sunday and overnight into MOnday. The Outeniqua mountains near George and the high ground around Uniondale is also indicated on the map.

Table Mountain is also likely to get close to 10cm of snow on Sunday late afternoon or overnight into Monday.

Sutherland and the southern part of the Northern Cape is currently expected to get significant snowfall, with areas like Calvinia, Richmond, Loxton, Carnavon, Colesberg, De Aar and Noupoort looking like they will get some on Sunday and Monday. The is also current a chance for lighter snowfall more north around Griekwastad, Prieska, Postmasburg and surrounds. The snow will start falling from early Sunday in some areas but the really heavy snow, where indicated, will arrive later in the day.

The central and northern parts of the Eastern Cape are again on the radar for snow late on Sunday and into Monday, as are the southern mountain ranges near Willowmore, and Storms River. Areas currently indicated on the snow map include Graaff-Reinet, Nieu-Bethesda, Middelburg, Cradock, Tarkastad, Sterkstroom, Somerset East, Hogsback, Hofmeyr, Jamestown, Molteno, Dordrecht, Burgersdorp, Elliot, Ugie, Maclear and Matatiele. Upwards of 15cm of snow is possible around Lady Grey, Barkly East and Rhodes and more than 30cm is possible for the high-ground around Tiffindell Ski Resort (closed) and the passes in this area.

Philippolis, Trompsburg, Springfontein, Thaba Nchu, Reddersburg, Zastron, the Gariep Dam, Ficksburg, Fouriesburg, Clarens and even Bloemfontein are some of the areas in the southern Free State that are currently on the radar for some snowfall on Sunday and Monday.

Snow is also currently indicated in the data right across Lesotho on Sunday and into Monday, with heavier snowfall possible in the remote southern region and the centre of the mountain kingdom.

The south of Namibia might get a light dusting of snowfall on Monday.

ALSO READ: Twelve severe weather warnings in effect from Sunday including snow.

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.

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