By Staff Writer
Published: 3 May 2026 [updated 4 May]
This forecast covers: Tue 05 May – Thu 07 May
Snowfall is indicated across a number of South African provinces as well as Lesotho from Tuesday, through Wednesday and into Thursday this week.
An intense cut-off low-pressure system is expected to affect parts of the country from Tuesday to Thursday, bringing severe weather, strong winds, disruptive rainfall and flooding according to the SA Weather Service.
Widespread rainfall is anticipated over the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, extending into the Free State, with 24-hour rainfall accumulations likely to exceed 100mm – 200mm in places.
The weather service have also issued an advisory for disruptive snowfall over the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
In South Africa the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal are currently on the radar for possible snow with the freezing level only dropping as low as 2000m in some areas.
The Lootsberg Pass on the N9 between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg may get snow and could be closed, especially from Wednesday.
Areas in South Africa where over 10cm of snow are possible on the high-ground or mountains are marked in purple on the map, and the hotspots are currently around Ladismith (WC), Beaufort West, Loxton, Richmond, Lady Grey, Rhodes.
Snow is also indicated for the high-ground or mountains around places like Ceres, De Doorns, the Koue Bokkeveld, Sutherland, Calvinia, Fraserburg, Carnavon, De Aar, Middelburg, Nieu-Bethesda, Graaff-Reinet, Cradock, Seymour, Queenstown, Molteno, Dordrecht, Barkly East, Khowa (Elliot), Philippolis, Noupoort and Clarens.
Most of the higher ground in Lesotho is indicated to receive light snowfall, but some areas may get over 10cm as marked in purple on the map. Afriski and the top of Sani Pass are indicated to receive snowfall.
Very strong wind is also indicated for the parts of the interior on Wednesday, when most of the snow is expected, and this will result in a significant wind chill effect.
Significant rainfall is also expected in some areas during this period, with over 100mm indicated and some models showing over 250mm for the Garden Route, Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape.
Farmers with livestock at higher elevations and those expecting to be hiking in the mountains might want to monitor our updates regularly.
This forecast is expected to change before the first snowfall arrives, so check our website or social media for updates regularly.
See below more maps with zoomed in regional sections.
ALSO READ: Be prepared for safe winter travel and snow chasing trips.
SEE ALSO: Snow fell in the Western Cape in April as expected. Click here for photos.
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. Snow indicated may reduce or vanish completely in some areas, or the dates and times may change.
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Staff Writer
snowreport.co.za
