Snowfall is expected in several regions of South Africa in June 2024, bringing a wintry mix of snow, rain, and icy conditions to various parts of the country.
2024 snowfall forecast for South Africa
According to meteorological reports, the first snow will begin falling on Saturday, 1 June 2024, around the escarpment and high-lying areas in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, near Molteno and Philipstown.
This initial snowfall is expected to be a mixture of snow and rain, which may cause it to melt quickly.
On Sunday, 2 June, light snow mixed with rain is forecast for Namibia, particularly around Aus, Rosh Pinah, and Ai-Ais.
This wintry mix will extend to the western and central parts of the Northern Cape, including Namakwa and Pixley Ka Seme Municipalities, and over the Nuweveld mountains.
More snow is anticipated over the mountains in the Eastern Cape and Lesotho, including the southern Drakensberg. Significant snowfall is predicted around Afriski in Lesotho, continuing into Monday and Tuesday.
Monday, 3 June 2024, is expected to be particularly cold and snowy for South Africa. Snow will spread over mountain peaks in the Western Cape, such as Matroosberg, Cederberg, and Swartberg, and in the Northern Cape, including the Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains.
Towns like Sutherland, Fraserburg, Loxton, Murraysburg, Richmond, Noupoort, Colesberg, Burgersdorp, Aliwal North, and Molteno will also see snowfall throughout the day. Heavy snow, exceeding 10 cm, is possible in Lesotho, especially around Afriski, with 5-10 cm expected over the southern Drakensberg and nearby towns in the Eastern Cape, such as Barkly East.
A mix of snow, ice rain, and sleet is forecast for the southern and eastern Free State, including Bethlehem, Warden, Heilbron, Reitz, Memel, Reddersburg, and Trompsburg.
This wintry mix will also affect the northeastern parts of the Northern Cape around Postmasburg and Kuruman. Late on Monday and into Tuesday, light snow, ice rain, and sleet could fall south of Bloemfontein in the Free State.
The European ECMWF weather model even suggests a slight possibility of snow dusting in southern North West and Gauteng, although this forecast is subject to change as conditions evolve.