Snow forecast warnings are in effect for most of South Africa this weekend, as a powerful cold front is set to sweep across the country, bringing widespread winter weather and possible snow in eight out of nine provinces.
Major Cold Front to Hit the Cape Early Saturday (7 June)
According to Vox Weather forecaster Michelle du Plessis, a strong cold front will make landfall in the Western Cape early on Saturday, 7 June. The system is expected to bring:
- Heavy rain to the western parts of the Western Cape
- Cold, wet, and windy weather across much of the Cape Provinces
An upper-air trough will intensify the system, setting the stage for a significant snow forecast across high-lying regions.
Snowfall Timeline: When and Where to Expect Snow
Saturday Night – Early Sunday (7–8 June)
- Western Cape: Light snow likely over the Cederberg mountains
- Northern Cape: Snow expected in the Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains
- Lesotho: Heavier snowfall already expected in mountainous areas
Sunday (8 June)
- Karoo Highlands: Light snow predicted around Loxton, Nieu-Bethesda, and Noupoort
- Eastern Cape: Snow likely in Barkly East, Southern Drakensberg, and highland areas
Forecasters note that snowfall predictions vary between weather models. The GFS model suggests more significant snow, while the ECMWF indicates lighter accumulations. More snow is confidently forecast for Lesotho.
Monday’s Snowfall Outlook (9 June)
As the cut-off low deepens on Monday, 9 June, and freezing levels drop further:
- Southern Gauteng and the Highveld of Mpumalanga may see light snow, though this remains model-dependent
- Currently, only the ECMWF model supports snowfall in these areas
- There’s also a chance that freezing rain could replace snow, depending on how the system evolves
Cut-off lows are known for being unpredictable, meaning the snow forecast could still shift significantly in the days ahead.
Provinces with Possible or Expected Snowfall
Province | Areas Affected | Expected Snow |
Western Cape | Cederberg Mountains | Light snow |
Northern Cape | Nuweveld & Roggeveld Mountains | Light snow |
Karoo Region | Loxton, Nieu-Bethesda, Noupoort | Light snow |
Eastern Cape | Barkly East, Southern Drakensberg | Light to heavy |
Free State | Eastern areas near Lesotho | Light dusting |
KwaZulu-Natal | Underberg, Western Drakensberg | Heavy snow |
Gauteng | Southern areas (model-dependent) | Light snow |
Mpumalanga | Southern Highveld (model-dependent) | Light snow |
Lesotho | High mountains incl. Sani Pass (not a SA province) | Heavy snow |
Limpopo is the only province not expected to receive snow.
Stay Updated on the Snow Forecast
This weekend’s snow forecast highlights rare and widespread snowfall potential across South Africa — but with rapidly changing models, conditions can shift quickly. Residents in affected areas should prepare for cold temperatures and check for updates from official weather services regularly.
