SA FREEZES: Snow Chaos Shuts Mountain Passes, Transforms Provinces into Winter Wonderland

A significant winter system has brought widespread snowfall and hazardous conditions across parts of South Africa, leading to a personal snow chase to Sutherland and major road disruptions in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and the Western Cape. The anticipation for this weather event had been building for days, with forecasts consistently predicting a cold front and a cut-off low that would turn a wide stretch of the country's mountains white. The excitement grew as the warnings shifted from 'possible' to 'confirmed', culminating in snow settling across numerous regions.

Snowfall was observed across the Eastern Cape Highlands, into Lesotho, over the southern Drakensberg, and across the Western Cape's high ground, including Matroosberg, the Cederberg, and further into the Karoo’s Roggeveld range near Sutherland. This marked a period where several of the country's best-loved snow spots experienced flakes within days of each other, fulfilling the long-tracked forecasts.

The decision to chase snow in Sutherland was strategic, despite the five-hour drive. Getting the timing precisely right was crucial to avoid arriving too early to standing in the cold with no snow, or too late when the snow had already begun to melt. The preparations involved diligent monitoring of SAWS updates, cross-checking timing with locals living near the Roggeveld range, and observing the warnings shift. The snow, continuing into Monday and Tuesday, provided the necessary window for a well-planned trip to catch the conditions effectively. This anticipation, phone calls to strangers, obsessive forecast checking, and the drive itself form a cherished part of the winter experience for snow enthusiasts.

However, the widespread snowfall also led to significant disruptions in road travel. In KwaZulu-Natal, the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) activated the province’s Snowfall Response Plan. The R617 was closed in the Kokstad, Kingscote, and Underberg areas, with traffic rerouted onto the R56, where hazardous conditions were still reported. A truck was notably stranded on the R617 at Kingscote. The N3 Toll Route, a vital link between Johannesburg and Durban, also saw light snowfall between Balgowan and Nottingham Road, with wet road surfaces and reduced visibility adding to the risks, especially for heavy vehicles.

The Eastern Cape experienced severe disruptions with multiple mountain passes closed. The N9 over Lootsberg Pass (between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg), the R61 around Wapadsberg Pass (towards Nxuba/Adelaide), and the R58 around Barkly Pass (between Khowa and Barkly East) were all affected. Penhoek Pass on the N6 (between Komani and Jamestown) and Boesmanshoek Pass (between Sterkstroom and Molteno) were also closed. Emergency personnel were deployed to assist several motorists left stranded by the snow. Authorities urged the public to take these closures seriously, emphasizing that they are for safety, and warned against assuming that a pass open earlier in the day would remain safe, as snow and ice can accumulate rapidly.

The Western Cape also saw closures, with Swartberg Pass near Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo being shut due to snow and dangerous icy conditions. Despite warnings, some vehicles reportedly attempted to travel through the pass, with officials highlighting the extreme danger posed by thick ice.

Truck drivers faced heightened risks due to snow and ice, as their weight and momentum make braking and steering more challenging on reduced-grip surfaces. Drivers were advised to significantly slow down, increase following distances, avoid harsh braking and sudden steering, carry sufficient fuel, food, water, and warm clothing, ensure mobile phones are charged, and monitor road and weather updates. Crucially, they were warned never to drive around road closures or attempt to cross a closed mountain pass, as a longer journey is preferable to being stranded.

Beyond snow, the Eastern Cape also contended with other weather-related disruptions, including rockfalls on the R102 between Gqeberha and Jeffreys Bay and flooding on the R332 through the Baviaanskloof, adding complexity for freight operators. Authorities in KwaZulu-Natal deployed graders to clear snow and prevent vehicles from getting trapped, also warning that freezing temperatures can exacerbate road damage. The overarching message from authorities was clear: the snowfall should not be treated merely as an inconvenience, given the severe and widespread hazardous conditions.