Thu Sep 19 06:57:32 UTC 2024: ## Snow to Blanket Parts of South Africa this Weekend, Warns Weather Service
**JOHANNESBURG** – A dramatic shift in weather is expected across South Africa this weekend, with snow predicted for several provinces following a recent heatwave. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a warning for very cold, wet and windy conditions brought by a spring cut-off low.
The cold snap will impact various regions starting Thursday, with the Western Cape, southern parts of the Northern Cape, and the Eastern Cape experiencing wintry conditions first. By Friday, the cold will spread to KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, and Mpumalanga, before reaching Gauteng, North West, and Limpopo on Saturday.
Disruptive snowfall is anticipated in the high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape, including the north-eastern high-ground, starting Thursday. This will extend to the eastern and southern high-ground of the Free State, the western and southern high-ground of KwaZulu-Natal, and the southern Highveld of Mpumalanga by Friday into Saturday.
The Eastern Cape is under an orange level 6 warning for disruptive snow, with snowfall of 15cm to 30cm expected in the north-eastern areas, western and southern KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern Free State, and the southern Highveld of Mpumalanga.
While snow is expected in the high-lying areas, Gauteng and the eastern parts of North West will experience cold daytime temperatures of 8°C to 12°C on Saturday. Light snow is also a possibility for the southern parts of Gauteng and the remainder of the Highveld of Mpumalanga on Saturday morning, although the SAWS has acknowledged uncertainty in this forecast.
The cut-off low is expected to weaken and leave the country on Saturday afternoon. Temperatures across eastern South Africa are predicted to recover quickly from Sunday into Monday.
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