Watch: Snow falls amid severe weather warnings in SA

Wet, windy and freezing conditions have hit parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and North West, as a cut-off low brings snowfall and road closures, prompting warnings for residents and farmers to take urgent safety measures.

June 10, 2025
Allison Cooper 4 minutes read
Snow fell in the Eastern and Northern Cape this morning. Photo: X/@chentianping

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued alerts as a cut-off low system causes a sharp turn in weather conditions, bringing snow, rain and plummeting temperatures to three provinces so far.

SAWS says wet, windy and icy conditions are expected today over the southern and eastern parts of the Northern Cape, Free State, central and southern parts of North West, over the Free State and the extreme south-east of the Northern Cape.

Snowfalls are expected in western parts of the Free State, as well as in places in the east and south-east of the Northern Cape, and along the Lesotho border, where mountain passes are likely to be closed.

The public and small stock farmers are advised to provide proper shelter, dry bedding and energy-rich feed to protect their animals against these conditions, says SAWS.

Severe weather warnings, including loss of life

SAWS has issued the following weather warnings for the country:

  • An orange level 6 warning for disruptive snow resulting in danger to life, mountain pass closures and communities being cut off over Joe Gqabi district municipality, Enoch Mgijima (Molteno) and Matatiele local municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
  • An orange level 6 warning for disruptive rain leading to flooding of settlements /property, roads and a danger to life, with some communities temporarily cut off, in places over Amathole, OR Tambo and Buffalo City district municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
  • An orange level 5 warning for disruptive rain leading to danger to life, flooding, displacements of settlements and mudslides over Alfred Nzo, Makana, Ndlambe, Kouga, and Koukamma municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
  • A yellow level 2 warning for disruptive snow leading to loss of livestock, minor passes closed and traffic disruptions due to snow and icy roads are expected over the Chris Hani district municipality, Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff-Reinet), Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi and Umzimvubu local municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
  • A yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain leading to localised flooding of settlements and roads in places over Joe Gqabi, Chris Hani, Blue Crane Route, Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff-Reinet area), Sundays River Valley and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
  • A yellow level 4 warning for damaging winds and waves resulting in localised disruption of small harbours and/or ports for a short time, small vessels at risk of taking on water and capsizing in a locality, difficulty in navigation (eg, small vessels in a short period, steep waves and hampered progress due to strong winds), and localised disruptions to beachfront activities (closure of beaches for swimming, shore/rock angling) along the coast of KZN today and tomorrow.
  • An orange level 6 warning of damaging winds and waves resulting in damage to settlements, some structural damage, disruption to ports/harbours and danger to vessels at sea between Kei River Mouth and Port Edward.
  • A yellow level 2 warning for damaging waves resulting in localised disruption to ports/harbours, difficulty in navigation of small vessels with a risk of taking water and capsizing in a locality between Port Alfred and Peddie Coast.
  • A yellow level 4 warning for damaging interior winds resulting in localised damage to settlements (formal and informal), localised loss of agricultural production and some transport routes and travel services affected by wind or falling trees in the central and northern interior of KZN.
  • An orange level 5 warning for damaging winds resulting in injuries and danger to life from flying debris, damage to settlements (formal and informal), loss of agricultural production, some structural damage and transport routes and travel services affected by wind or falling trees in the south of KZN.
  • A yellow level 2 warning for damaging wind resulting in localised damage to settlements, disruption to power/communication and disruption to ports/harbours in places over Buffalo City Metro, Amahlathi, Intsika Yethu, Dr AB Xuma, Elundini, Mzimbu and Matatiele local municipalities in the Eastern Cape.
  • A yellow level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall resulting in localised flooding of settlements, low-lying areas and bridges, and minor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads in the extreme south of KZN.

 

 

 

 

This morning, The Witness reported that the N2 in the Eastern Cape and KZN has been closed due to snowfall.

“To save lives, we have decided to close the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg as well as R603  – Tacoma to Reit,” says the KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.

Duma says that motorists are urged to delay their trips leading to Kokstad, as trucks are already stuck and creating huge congestion.

The road traffic inspectorate team is working with traffic police from Kokstad and Ray Nkonyeni local municipalities to redirect motorists and to clear the snow, he says.

Snow in Kokstad. Photo: KZN transport

 

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June 10, 2025
Allison Cooper 4 minutes read

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Ally Cooper

Passionate storyteller with over 30 years’ experience as a journalist, editor, proofreader, content creator, social media manager and public relations and media liaison specialist.
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