The first summer snow in 85 years has fallen in Eastern Cape, causing road closures and prompting climate concerns
South Africa has witnessed unprecedented snowfall, marking the country’s first major November event in 85 years, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) reported on X on Wednesday.
November ushers in the start of summer in South Africa, typically bringing consistently hot, sunny weather. This week, however, snow blanketed areas of Eastern Cape province. In September, a similar snow event brought multiple provinces to a halt, particularly affecting the N3 highway, a major route connecting Johannesburg with Durban, and left drivers stranded.
The snowstorm was triggered by a “cut-off low” system – a low-pressure system that often brings cold air, rain, and snow to the region, Lehlohonolo Thobela, a weather forecaster at the South African Weather Service, explained.
“The frequency of these systems appears to be increasing, especially in spring,” Thobela said. He suggested that climate change or climate variability could be factors in the unusual weather.
The snowfall began on Tuesday, particularly affecting high-altitude routes such as the Lootsberg Pass on the N9 highway between Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet, and the Wapadsberg Pass. Heavy rain has created slippery surfaces and poor visibility, complicating travel.
The SAWS noted that South Africa’s last snowfall in November of this scale occurred in 1939, with areas such as Harrismith and Middelburg receiving up to 45cm of snow, which led to significant losses of livestock.
Videos posted on social media show the N3 highway in Eastern Cape closed amid the blizzard, adding to the challenging driving conditions.
Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the authorities are keeping a close watch on the route and may close it if the snow intensifies. “This curious phenomenon of snowfall in November adds another damage to already challenging driving conditions in the Eastern Cape, as most areas are affected by heavy rains that have led to slippery conditions as well as poor visibility.”
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Forecasters, including international weather forecaster Jason Nicholls, expect further snowfall and heavy rain in central and eastern regions of South Africa and Lesotho from Thursday through the weekend.
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