Snow Alert: Gauteng braces for rare winter wonderland

Gauteng province in South Africa is preparing for a rare winter wonderland scenario as snowfall becomes possible later on Monday or Tuesday. This comes after the South African Weather Service (Saws) confirmed that snow covered parts of the region on July 10, 2023, creating a memorable winter spectacle.

The Gauteng Weather service has issued an alert, predicting snowfall of up to 10cm in certain areas, primarily in southern and eastern parts of Gauteng, including Johannesburg. However, they also warn of potentially damaging winds reaching speeds of 45km/h, which could harm infrastructure.

The province is expected to experience cold, cloudy conditions with occasional showers and thunderstorms. Snowfall is forecast for the southern areas in the evening. The coldest period is anticipated on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching their lowest points in years, ranging from 1°C to 7°C across various cities.

In contrast, the Eastern Cape and other regions of South Africa have already witnessed snowfall on Monday. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue into Tuesday, leading to hazardous travel conditions and potential power outages. The South African Weather Service has issued a level 6 warning for the Chris Hani District, along with the Senqu, Elundini, and Matatiele municipalities, as heavy snowfall could disrupt daily life and cause significant traffic delays.