South Africans should brace for another day of harsh winter weather on Tuesday, with snow, heavy rain, strong winds and bitterly cold conditions expected across large parts of the country.
The South African Weather Service has warned that the most severe conditions are likely in the Eastern Cape, where an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snowfall has been issued.
Heavy snow is expected over parts of Emalahleni, Sakhisizwe, Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele, with major traffic disruptions, temporary road closures and isolated communities possibly becoming inaccessible.
Rainfall chances will be highest along the eastern parts of the country. Mpumalanga faces a 60% to 80% chance of widespread rain and showers, while KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern half of the Eastern Cape can expect a 60% chance of rain, increasing to widespread falls along the coast.
Gauteng is forecast to have a 30% chance of showers and rain, while the Free State will see a 30% chance of showers, rising to 60% in the eastern areas.
Snow is expected over the high-lying regions of the Eastern Cape and the western high ground of KwaZulu-Natal, with lighter snowfall also possible along the Lesotho border areas of the Free State. Beaufort West in the Western Cape could see light snow dusting during the morning.
Very cold conditions are forecast across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and much of the Eastern Cape, while strong winds are expected to worsen conditions.
Along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, damaging winds and rough seas could disrupt coastal activities and navigation, while gale-force winds are expected along parts of the Western Cape coast later in the day.
In Gauteng, residents can expect a cloudy, cold to very cold day with scattered rain. Mpumalanga will remain cloudy and cold with widespread rain, while Limpopo is forecast to receive isolated to scattered showers, particularly in the south-east.
The North West will be cool and windy with isolated showers and thundershowers.
The weather service has advised motorists, farmers and residents in affected areas to take precautions as the combination of snow, rain, strong winds and freezing temperatures could lead to hazardous travel conditions, livestock losses and disruptions to essential services.
