WATCH: Snow falls in Johannesburg as Gauteng freezes
Johannesburg last experienced snowfall on 10 July 2023.
Snow and sleet have been falling in parts of Johannesburg and Gauteng, South Africa, for the first time in several months. Meyersdal, Alberton, Glenvista, Kensington, and Germiston on the East Rand have all experienced snowfall on Tuesday, according to Storm Report SA. The South African Weather Service last recorded snow in Johannesburg on July 10, 2023, creating a brief winter wonderland.
Gauteng is currently forecast to be cloudy and chilly, with scattered showers and possible thunderstorms. The worst of the cold snap is expected on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching multi-year lows. Johannesburg is predicted to have a minimum of 1°C and a high of 4°C, while Vereeniging could drop to 0°C, and Pretoria to 3°C, with highs around 7°C.
The Gauteng provincial government has urged residents to prioritize safety amid the freezing conditions. Icy rain, plummeting temperatures, and hazardous road conditions have been reported, and illegal power connections, unsafe heating methods, and reckless travel are discouraged. The province has warned residents to prepare for rain and very cold temperatures, with expected lows of 3-4°C in some areas.
Residents are being advised to exercise extreme caution when using heaters, stoves, candles, paraffin appliances, braziers, or open fires to stay warm.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
