Snow reported in some parts of SA, level 6 warning issued for EC

The South African Weather Service says cold weather is likely to persist in the Eastern Cape.

An Orange Level 6 warning has been issued for disruptive snow over Joe Gqabi district, Molteno and Matatiele.

Disruptive rain has also been issued for the Buffalo City Metro, as well as OR Tambo and Amathole districts.

A level five warning has been issued for other municipalities in the province for disruptive rainfall that may result in flooding.

Ayabonga Tshungwana is a forecaster at the SA Weather Service in the Eastern Cape. “The coldness is expected to persist from Monday up until Wednesday and the precipitation will stop by tomorrow, which is Tuesday and we still expect the snowfall to stop on Tuesday.”

Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila says disaster management teams are on high alert as the Midlands braces for snow.

Snowfall at Kokstad has led to road closures in the province. The Department of Transport in the province says the R617 between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg has been closed, as well as parts of the N2.

Motorists have also been urged to delay their trips to Kokstad as there are already trucks stuck on the route, causing congestion.

The Weather Service has issued a Level 2 alert. A number of other alerts are active, including a level four warning for damaging winds and strong waves along the coast in the province.

Mzila says they will ensure that the province’s disaster response is ready.

“We can indicate that cold weather conditions continue to affect large parts. WE are expecting snow in areas that are surrounding the Drakensberg now. In terms of the warning we have received, areas within uThukela district, the Harry Gwala district and also parts of the Ugu district are the ones we are expecting a bit of snowfall. Now the MEC for COGTA has placed all our disaster management teams on high alert, and these teams are ensuring that all plans and contingencies are in place to deal with any situation that might develop as a result of the warning we have for snowfall. “