KZN braces for icy blast as snow looms over Drakensberg | The Witness

KwaZulu-Natal residents should brace for plummeting temperatures and the possibility of snow over the southern Drakensberg this weekend, as a powerful winter weather system sweeps across the country.

Lehlohonolo Thobela, a forecaster from the South African Weather Service (SAWS), said snowfall is expected from Friday over the high peaks of the Drakensberg mountains, Lesotho and the Eastern Cape.

“By Friday, very cold conditions will spread further inland, and snowfall is possible over the high peaks of the Eastern Cape and southern Drakensberg,” said Thobela.

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While temperatures in the Midlands and the foothills of the Drakensberg are expected to drop significantly, Saws forecasts show the cold will ease slightly from Monday as a warming trend sets in.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rain is also on the cards for parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, with a 30% chance of isolated showers expected across the southern parts of the province and into the Free State.

Rest of the country in for a soaking

Elsewhere in the country, a series of cold fronts is expected to move in between Thursday and Sunday, bringing disruptive weather, particularly to the Western and Northern Cape.

Saws has issued a yellow level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall in the Western Cape, warning of widespread showers, possible flooding, and dangerous conditions on roads.

Winds of up to 80 km/h are forecast for the south-western coastal belt, including Saldanha Bay and Cape Agulhas.

On Thursday, the central interior, including Bloemfontein and Aliwal North, will see scattered showers (60% chance), while isolated rain (30%) is forecast for parts of the Northern Cape.

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Another cold front is expected to make landfall on Sunday in the Western Cape, bringing further rainfall and high seas, with waves between 4.5 and 5.5 metres predicted between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay.

Small stock farmers have been urged to take precautions as harsh conditions, including very cold, wet and windy weather, settle over much of the interior.

Saws has called on the public to monitor weather alerts and take necessary steps to remain safe amid the countrywide cold snap.