Turbulent weather in South Africa: Motorists urged to exercise caution amid road closures
Heavy snow, sleet, rain and icy conditions have disrupted travel across several provinces, with major routes closed. Here are the roads currently affected by the severe weather.
South Africa is experiencing turbulent weather with heavy snowfall and rain disrupting travel across the country. KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have been particularly hard hit, with major routes closed due to the wintry conditions. The N3 highway, running through Estcourt, Harrismith and Van Reenen Pass, is closed between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, forcing motorists to find alternate routes.
The R74 at Oliviershoek Pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, has also become high-risk as conditions deteriorate towards the border.
Snow has also been reported in parts of the Western Cape, while sleet and other adverse weather has hit the Free State, Mpumalanga and other regions. Road conditions remain hazardous in many areas, with emergency teams spraying brine to prevent black ice from forming. Motorists are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution on the roads, reducing speed and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.
While traffic is flowing normally in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and the Northern Cape, some areas are still experiencing cold and wet conditions. The Swartberg Pass and Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads in the Western Cape have closed due to snow. As conditions can change rapidly, motorists are urged to verify road and weather conditions with local authorities before travelling.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
