Level 6 snow warning turns roads impassable across three provinces
A snow warning at the second-highest impact level is in force across the northern Eastern Cape until Tuesday, and it has already closed mountain passes, a border post and major provincial routes. Motorists travelling between the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho face closures, stranded vehicles and rescue operations still under way.
The South African Weather Service has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow over the Chris Hani District and the Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele municipalities, valid until Tuesday 11 August, with major traffic disruptions, impacts on livelihoods and some communities becoming temporarily inaccessible. Snowfall of 25cm to 35cm is expected in places across those municipalities and Dr Beyers Naude. MercuryThe Witness
The system is a cold front that has matured into a cut-off low. A cold front accompanied by a cut-off low is affecting the Free State, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, southern Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal into Tuesday, bringing very cold and windy conditions, snowfall over mountainous areas and rough to very rough seas. iol
South African Weather Service forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela said the conditions “may result in disruptions to livelihoods, major traffic disruptions,” and could also cause problems for livestock. Journalarta
Which roads are closed and what it means for your trip home
The disruption is concrete and it is happening now. Key routes still closed at midday on Monday included the N6 Penhoek Pass between Komani and Maletswayi, formerly Aliwal North, and the N9 Lootsberg Pass between Middelburg and Robert Sobukwe Town, formerly Graaff-Reinet. The Herald
Eastern Cape provincial transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the R415 between Matatiele and the Qacha’s Nek border post with Lesotho was among the major routes closed due to snowfall, and that the border post was also closed on Monday. Three mountain passes in the northern Eastern Cape, the Barkly Pass on the R58 between Khowa and Ekhephini, Penhoek Pass on the N6, and Boesmanshoek Pass, remained closed with emergency teams still assisting stranded motorists. The HeraldThe Herald
Travellers heading to Lesotho through Qacha’s Nek face a long detour. During a previous closure of the same crossing, commercial operators were diverted to the Telle Bridge border post nearly 190 kilometres away. Streamline
In KwaZulu-Natal, the R617 to Kokstad remains closed due to heavy snowfall, with the N2 towards Brook’s Nek wet from snowfall, and trucks stranded on the R617. Traffic is being diverted to the R56, while the N3 Toll Concession has started spreading brine at Van Reenen’s Pass to prevent ice from forming, with light snowfall reported on the N3 between Balgowan and Nottingham Road. IOLSABC News
The cold has also hit healthcare. Harry Gwala Regional Hospital in the uMgungundlovu District lost power after heavy overnight snowfall, and hospital spokesperson Samkelisiwe Mncube said telephone lines were knocked out, severely hampering communication in the area. The Citizen
Every warning in force, province by province
The South African Weather Service warnings currently in effect:
| Warning | Level | Areas affected | Valid until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disruptive snow | Orange Level 6 | Chris Hani District, Senqu, Elundini, Matatiele (Eastern Cape) | Tuesday 11 August |
| Disruptive snow | Yellow Level 2 | Dr Beyers Naude, Blue Crane, Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi, Intsika Yethu, Dr AB Xuma, Mhlontlo, Mzimvubu; east and south Free State along the Lesotho border; western KwaZulu-Natal | Tuesday 11 August |
| Damaging winds and waves | Yellow Level 4 | KwaZulu-Natal coast | Ongoing |
| Damaging winds | Yellow Level 4 | KwaZulu-Natal coast and north-eastern adjacent interior | Ongoing |
| Disruptive rain | Yellow Level 2 | Nyandeni, Port St Johns, Ingquza Hill, Bizana; extreme southern and western KwaZulu-Natal | Ongoing |
| Damaging winds | Yellow Level 2 | Joe Gqabi District, central and eastern Northern Cape, Free State, extreme western North West | Ongoing |
| Severe thunderstorms | Advisory | Extreme southern North West, north-eastern Free State, southern Gauteng | Ongoing |
In Gauteng, cloudy and cold conditions with scattered showers and thundershowers are expected, with light snowfall expected in the south of the province at night. TimesLIVE
Snow was already falling well before the warnings peaked. Snow Report forecaster Richard Le Sier said photographs emerged on Sunday from Franschhoek Pass, the Hex River mountains and the Swartberg, with low-lying snow reported across the Eastern Cape and the southern Drakensberg on Monday morning. ewn
What authorities are asking you to do before Tuesday
Provincial governments have moved to a response footing. KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has placed provincial disaster management response units on high alert, and small-stock farmers have been urged to take precautions. iol
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma asked motorists to delay their trips and the public to remain indoors, saying prevention is better than cure, and said teams had been deployed to clear snow before it accumulates beyond 30cm. Drivers have been told not to overtake or make sudden braking or steering movements on icy roads. The CitizenTimesLIVE
Several things remain unconfirmed. No reopening times have been given for the closed passes or the Qacha’s Nek border post, no casualty or livestock loss figures have been released, and the number of motorists still stranded has not been quantified by authorities.
Africa Weather lead meteorologist Siphesihle Kunene said some models suggest the cold spell extends into Wednesday and Thursday, making it a longer cold spell than first expected, although the broader seasonal outlook remains warmer and drier. businesstech
The next fixed markers are the expiry of the Level 6 and Level 2 snow warnings at the end of Tuesday 11 August, the Weather Service’s daily warning updates, and provincial transport department announcements on when the closed passes and the Lesotho crossing reopen.
