Snow possible for Gauteng again next week
Weather models suggest there is a chance of snowfall over parts of Gauteng on Monday, but conditions could still change.
Keep your snow goggles handy – there is once again a chance of snowfall in Gauteng next week.
A weather enthusiast known as the Weather Hooligan told the Krugersdorp News that weather models are again indicating the possibility of snow over parts of Johannesburg on Monday, August 10, with some model projections suggesting accumulations of up to 10cm.
However, he stressed that these are probabilities based on weather models and that conditions could still change.
“It might snow in your own backyard, but these are only probabilities. The weather models are showing the possibility of snowfall, but that could still change,” he said.
According to the South African Weather Service, there is currently a 30% chance of rain on Monday, August 10, increasing to 60% on Tuesday, August 11.
The Weather Hooligan said several conditions need to come together before snow can form and reach the ground.
These include sub-zero temperatures in the clouds, cold surface temperatures, high humidity, thick cloud cover, sufficient atmospheric lift from a cold front or upper-air system, and cold southwesterly or southerly winds.
He explained that humidity is one of the most important factors.
“You can have very cold air, but if the humidity is too low, there won’t be enough moisture to produce snow. On the other hand, high humidity without sufficiently cold temperatures usually results in rain instead of snow.”
Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on updated forecasts over the coming days, as snowfall predictions can change significantly as weather systems develop.
Did you know, for it to snow in South Africa, a good setup is:
- Surface temperatures: -2°C to 2°C
- Relative humidity: 90–100%
- 850 hPa temperature (about 1 500m): -3°C or colder
- 500 hPa temperature (about 5 500m): -25°C to -30°C or colder
- Deep moisture with steady precipitation
