Light snowfall expected in parts of SA on Monday

South Africans can anticipate a chilly start to the week, with light snowfall predicted in many regions on Monday afternoon. The South African Weather Service has warned the public and farmers to prepare for a cold front and a cut-off low affecting several provinces, including the Free State, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal's southern parts. This weather system is expected to persist into Tuesday.

The public and small stock farmers have been advised to watch out for very cold and windy conditions, snowfall in mountainous areas, and rough to very rough seas along the coast. An orange level 6 snow warning has been issued for the Eastern Cape, particularly in Chris Hani District, Senqu, Elundini, and Matatiele municipalities, expected to last until Tuesday.

Two yellow level 4 warnings have been issued for KwaZulu-Natal, one concerning damaging winds and waves that may disrupt small harbours or ports, and the other warning about damaging winds causing damage to settlements, injuries, and danger to life from flying debris.

Yellow level 2 snow warnings have been issued for select areas of South Africa, including parts of the Eastern Cape, Lesotho border, and KwaZulu-Natal. Disruptive snow may lead to localised traffic disruptions, isolated loss of livestock and crops, and localised service disruptions. Severe thunderstorms are also expected to cause localized damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property, vehicles, livelihood, and livestock in the extreme southern parts of the North West, north-eastern parts of the Free State, and southern parts of Gauteng.