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Snow in May? Lesotho says yes while KZN preps for rain
Weekend weather takes a cold turn, with forecasted snow in Lesotho, while even more rain is expected to batter KZN.
Snowfall and rain predicted for this weekend. Photo: iStock
The South African Weather Service (Saws) painted quite a picture for this weekend’s weather – from snow to thunderstorms and frost.
It’s a full menu of weather changes so adjust your weekend plans, folks, it looks like Mother Nature will be mixing things up.
Weekend weather update
Potential dynamic storms east of Lesotho might result in light to moderate rainfall and a medium chance of snowfall in Lesotho and surrounding towns on Friday.
Rain and thunderstorms in KZN
The weather service issued a yellow level 2 warning for widespread showers and thunderstorms in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) for Friday and into the weekend.
Watch: Weather forecast
At the time of publishing, some southern coastal areas have already felt the impact, with rainfall exceeding 40mm.
Today’s weather map shows isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers throughout the central, eastern and southeastern regions of the country.
Meanwhile, KZN’s south coast is set for a real downpour, with disruptive rain expected.
Snow forecasted… again
As reported by Africa Weather, an upper air disturbance leaves the country today.
This means with a surface high-pressure cell along the south and southeast, we might see some short-lived snowfall in Lesotho and adjacent towns.
Light to moderate rainfall is also forecasted over the eastern provinces over the weekend.
Saturday, South Africans can expect cold clear sky conditions for most of the country, with morning frost southwest of Lesotho.
Light rainfall is expected along the Western Cape coast on Sunday.
Medium rainfall is forecasted for the Eastern Cape, accompanied by moderate to strong westerly-south-westerly winds along the south coast and the southern Cape interior.
Weather service: Lightning know-how
It’s important to remember, according to Saws, that lightning can occur even when there’s no rain.
The weather service said lightning strikes can happen up to 16 kilometres away from the rain, often outside of heavy rain.
Also: a gentle reminder that your rubber-soled shoes and car tyres won’t save you from lightning.
That said, you’re much safer inside a hard-topped vehicle, thanks to its steel frame. Just don’t touch any metal parts…
