South Africa is being battered by a severe winter weather system, with heavy snow closing major roads, dangerous driving conditions triggering crashes and severe weather warnings issued across several provinces.

The South African Weather Service has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow over Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele local municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

The warning means major traffic disruptions are expected, while some communities could temporarily become inaccessible. Livelihoods could also be disrupted.

Eastern Cape passes reopen as fog lingers

According to The Citizen, key mountain passes in the Eastern Cape that were closed due to heavy snowfall — including Barkly, Penhoek, Boesmanshoek, Qashas Nek and Lootsberg passes — have reopened.

Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose told The Citizen that while snowfall had subsided allowing routes to reopen, conditions remain treacherous.

“Penhoek Pass is experiencing thick fog and drizzle, while low-lying areas continue to face cold weather, steady rainfall and mist,” Binqose told The Citizen, urging drivers to maintain safe following distances and switch on their headlights.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive snow is also in place over the north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape, the eastern and southern Free State and areas along the Lesotho border.

The warning extends to the western parts of KZN, south-eastern Gauteng and south-western Mpumalanga.

These areas could experience localised traffic disruptions, isolated losses of livestock and crops and disruptions to services.

The severe conditions are already affecting motorists.

Weather causes Northern Natal crashes

According to the Newcastle Advertiser, adverse weather conditions contributed to two separate collisions outside Newcastle yesterday evening (August 10).

The first collision, involving two vehicles, was reported on the N11 at Amajuba Pass near Ingogo. A second crash involving three vehicles was reported shortly afterwards on the R34 Utrecht Road.

Law enforcement officials attended both scenes and worked to clear the roads and manage traffic. No serious injuries had been reported at the time of publication.

Motorists were urged to exercise extreme caution as visibility had been significantly affected by the adverse weather. Drivers were advised to reduce their speed and maintain a safe following distance. The exact causes of the collisions remain subject to police investigation.

Meanwhile, the Ladysmith Gazette shared a video showing snow on the Drakensberg mountains this morning (August 11) as seen from Ladysmith.

In addition, David Myers posted a video to the Reënval in SA Facebook group showing snow on Platberg in Harrismith in the eastern Free State this morning.

Major routes closed in KZN

In KZN, heavy snowfall and icy conditions have forced the closure of several major routes.

Yesterday, The Witness reported that the N3 between Estcourt and Harrismith has been closed, while truck movements have been halted to prevent congestion and reduce the risk of motorists becoming trapped if conditions deteriorate further. The road remains closed this morning.

The R617 between Kokstad and Underberg, Van Reenen Pass, the R74 Oliviershoek Pass between Harrismith and Bergville, the R74 Greytown/Colenso Road, as well as the R103 and Tugela Toll Plaza have also been closed. Van Reenen Pass has been declared extremely hazardous because of black ice.

Authorities have also prohibited so-called snow chasers from travelling to affected areas.

Severe warnings for coastal gales and rain

The Orange Level 6 warning in the Eastern Cape is the most severe of the current snow warnings and could result in major disruptions to transport and access.

A Yellow Level 2 snow warning covers a wider area, including parts of KZN, Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

The conditions could affect farmers and communities through livestock and crop losses, while disruptions to services are also possible.

A separate Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms has been issued over most parts of Mpumalanga and the eastern parts of Limpopo.

Heavy downpours could result in localised flooding of susceptible settlements, roads and bridges.

Strong, damaging winds and possible small amounts of hail are also expected.

Residents are urged to exercise caution around flooded roads and bridges and to avoid unnecessary travel during severe thunderstorms.

Watch hail in Middelburg and Polokwane:

The KZN coast is under a Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds and waves.

The conditions could disrupt small harbours and ports, create dangerous navigation conditions and interfere with coastal activities.

There is also a risk of damage to infrastructure and settlements, while flying debris could cause injuries and pose a danger to life.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for damaging winds has also been issued over the northern parts of the West Coast District and Witzenberg Municipality in the Western Cape.

The warning covers the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape, except for the north-eastern parts of Pofadder Municipality.

The winds could damage formal and informal settlements, cause localised reductions in visibility because of dust storms and damage temporary structures.

A Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging winds is also expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas from this morning until tomorrow (August 12).

The warning is expected to make navigation at sea difficult.

With snow and ice already affecting major routes and weather conditions contributing to crashes in northern KZN, motorists are urged to reconsider unnecessary journeys.

Those who have to travel should reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance and exercise extreme caution where visibility is poor.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the conditions as heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures affect parts of the country.

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