As snowfall continues to blanket the southern Drakensberg region in the Eastern Cape, road networks and mountain passes are expected to be temporarily closed on Thursday, 29 June 2023.
Snowfall in Eastern Cape: Road closures expected in these areas
The potential for disruptive snow, particularly during the early morning hours, has prompted authorities to take precautionary measures to ensure public safety.
Earlier this week, the SA Weather Service warned that the Eastern Cape snowfall would not only pose a threat to livestock but also increase the potential for hazards on roads.
Therefore, for motorists, several key routes in areas such as Molteno, Barkley East, Lady Grey, and Matatiele, where significant snowfall is forecasted, will likely be closed on Thursday.
Snowfall expected to reach this part of the Free State
Additionally, the northeastern Free State, including Qwaqwa, is also expected to experience heavy snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures as a spill-over effect from neighbouring Lesotho, according to recent forecasts.
These weather conditions are anticipated due to a cut-off low-pressure system currently situated along the country’s west coast, SA Weather explained.
The western regions of the Free State and North West have already begun to experience freezing temperatures, with the potential for livestock casualties. Cold conditions are also expected in the western regions of the Northern and Western Cape, which may pose risks to livestock.
While the weather service advises caution due to localised damage of infrastructure and settlements caused by shower bursts, excessive lightning, and isolated thunderstorms producing strong winds, swells along the south coast of the Eastern Cape may reach heights of up to 6.5 meters, potentially impacting vessels and mooring lines.
Earlier this week, rainy conditions affected communities along the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal and the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape, with ongoing rainfall anticipated in these areas.
Wet, cold to freezing conditions are expected to spread to the country’s central provinces, carrying a risk of storms that could result in heavy downpours, excessive lightning, and the possibility of small hail.
As the week progresses, however, the weather is expected to clear up, bringing cool and mostly rain-free conditions to the affected regions.