Watch: Severe snowstorms and freezing conditions grip SA amid public holiday travel chaos – LNN – Network News
As the nation observes a public holiday today (August 10) at the close of the Women’s Day long weekend, this severe weather system is plunging multiple provinces into a deep freeze, triggering travel chaos, road closures and urgent safety warnings.
Fresh snow has already been reported across high-lying parts of the Eastern Cape and the southern Drakensberg, while snowfall has also touched down on higher ground near Bloemfontein in the Free State.
According to Pretoria Rekord, Vox Weather noted snow falling near Bloemfontein this morning, as well as at Elliot and along the R56 near Matatiele. Thick snow blanketed the southern Drakensberg, creating picturesque winter scenes around Lake Naverone as the landscape turned completely white.
The Eastern Cape is facing some of the most severe conditions, prompting the South African Weather Service to issue an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow over parts of the province. The alert covers the Chris Hani District as well as the Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele municipalities, where heavy accumulations threaten dangerous travel conditions and potential community isolation.
Areas around Rhodes and Barkly East are experiencing some of the most striking accumulations as temperatures hover around freezing.
Highlighting the immediate dangers on the road, SA Trucker reports that two trucks from the same transport company were involved in a side-swipe collision on the N10 in the Eastern Cape as heavy snowfall continues to create hazardous driving conditions across the province.
Although the exact circumstances surrounding the crash are not yet known, footage from the scene shows the road covered in thick snow at the time of the incident, raising serious questions about whether slippery conditions played a role.
The collision serves as a timely warning for truck drivers navigating the province, where several high-altitude routes – including Barkly Pass, Penhoek Pass, Wapadsberg Pass and Lootsberg Pass – are particularly vulnerable to snow and temporary closures. Provincial authorities confirmed that the Penhoek Pass was temporarily closed between Aliwal North, Jamestown and Komani due to active snowfall. For heavy vehicle operators, snow-covered surfaces present extreme hazards as stopping and manoeuvring distances increase sharply.
Meanwhile, the Zululand Observer reports that as snow falls across parts of KZN, resulting in several road closures, residents are further warned of damaging winds and waves expected to persist into tomorrow (August 11).
KZN – R617 Route (Update): #SNOW ROAD CLOSED between Underberg and Kokstad pic.twitter.com/nyz6Q35zhD
The R617 road between Underberg and Kokstad was closed this morning after heavy snow blanketed the area, while snow was also reported across Nottingham Road, Clifton and the N2 Kokstad/Harding section.
The N3 Toll Concession has mobilised extensive countermeasures. Chief operating officer Thania Dhoogra warned that icy conditions pose serious hazards throughout the day.
“As a precaution, our Route Operations teams have begun to apply brine across all lanes from the bottom of Van Reenen Pass towards Harrismith,” Dhoogra said. “This process is to help prevent the formation of black ice and will be extended to other areas of the road should weather conditions require it.”
KZN – N2 Route: #SNOW Kokstad / Harding section via @ThahlaKaFaku pic.twitter.com/FPC5Oop6mw
Dhoogra urged returning holidaymakers to exercise extreme caution: “Road users are urged to factor the weather and expected traffic volumes into their travel plans today. Allow additional travel time, reduce speed, increase following distances, avoid overtaking unnecessarily, and keep headlights switched on. Drivers are reminded to follow the instructions of traffic officials and adhere to traffic signs.”
The Free State has also joined the winter spectacle with snow coating high ground near Bloemfontein, alongside flurries expected across the eastern and northern sectors, reports Pretoria Rekord.
Attention has similarly turned to Gauteng as the system progresses.
According to Vox Weather meteorologist Michelle du Plessis, significant snowfall is expected over parts of the Eastern Cape, Lesotho, the southern Drakensberg and the eastern Free State, with snow also possible across high-lying regions of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
Light snowfall remains a possibility over southern and south-eastern Gauteng, including Vereeniging, Nigel and Benoni, though surface temperatures mean much of this may fall as a cold mixture of rain and snow.
Although Pretoria and Johannesburg itself is unlikely to see snow, eager residents hoping to experience a winter wonderland do not need to travel all the way to the Drakensberg.
According to Vox Weather, the closest prospects lie in south-eastern Gauteng and the Mpumalanga Highveld.
While Delmas is just an hour’s drive east, snow may struggle to settle amid the rain. For better odds, longer trips to high-altitude towns like Belfast and Dullstroom – situated over 2 100m – offer plunging temperatures and ideal conditions for snow, sleet and rain mixes.
However, authorities have cautioned against reckless ‘snow-chasing’, warning that major travel disruptions can rapidly make mountain passes and rural roads impassable.
Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, strong winds reaching gale force are expected to pose significant navigation hazards for small harbours and ports, alongside dangerous conditions for beach activities.
The South African Weather Service warns that the cut-off low system will continue affecting the Free State, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, southern Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal into Tuesday.
“The public and small stock farmers are advised that very cold and windy conditions, snowfall over mountainous areas and rough to very rough seas can be expected,” SAWS stated. “Farmers and the public in general are advised to take necessary precautions.”
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