This week’s Orange Level 6 warning cut off parts of the Eastern Cape and made for genuinely dramatic headlines.
But is it an Eastern Cape snow record?
No.
South Africa’s real benchmark for severe snow dates back to September 2024. This week doesn’t come close.
What actually happened this week
SAWS issued an Orange Level 6 disruptive snow warning for the Eastern Cape’s Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele municipalities, warning of major traffic disruption and communities becoming temporarily inaccessible.
It was serious enough that a SAWS forecaster later confirmed the system itself, while significant, “was not out of the ordinary” for a South African winter.
The Eastern Cape snow record actually belongs to September 2024
In September 2024, a system nicknamed “Snowtember” triggered a SAWS Level 8 warning. It shut the N3 Toll Route completely between Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State for close to two days.
Motorists were stranded for more than 14 hours in freezing conditions, with reports of at least one death linked to exposure.
Five provinces were affected, including the Eastern Cape, and it took a full multi-agency rescue and recovery operation to clear stranded vehicles from Van Reenen’s Pass.
Why this Eastern Cape snow record comparison matters
It’s easy for a dramatic week to feel like “the worst we’ve seen,” especially when it’s playing out in your own backyard. But stacking this week’s system against 2024’s shows just how much more severe South African winters can get.
I think it’s worth remembering these events when they happen, because it puts each new cold front into real perspective rather than just headline shock value. Hey, I for one wish I got the opportunity to see the snow in 2024.
Do you remember where you were during the 2024 “Snowtember” chaos?
Let us know in the comments below, Mzansi …
Is it snowing in your area? If so, please send your photos to info@thesouthafrican.com
Nicole Burger
www.thesouthafrican.com