Forecaster warned that snow is possible in central SA and Gauteng this week. Here is the latest weather update.

Snow in Gauteng? Weather models are pointing to a rare wintry mix for the province this Thursday as a powerful cut-off low sweeps across South Africa, bringing freezing temperatures and the potential for snow, hail, or graupel.

While actual snow settling in Gauteng remains unlikely due to higher ground temperatures, forecasters warn that conditions may be cold and unstable enough to produce soft hail or snow-like precipitation.

GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS – While snowfall is likely to evade Gauteng, a strong cut-off low will develop over the western part of the country on Wednesday and slowly move eastwards, spreading cold and wet weather over central and later eastern parts of South Africa.

According to Vox Weather, models are indicating a mix of rain, snow, and graupel is likely over central South Africa (parts of Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Lesotho).

A powerful winter storm is sweeping across South Africa, bringing bitter cold, snow and flooding to several provinces. The Eastern Cape is hardest hit, with an Orange Level 9 warning issued for severe disruptive rain.

A powerful winter storm has swept across much of South Africa, bringing bitter cold, heavy rain, and snow to several provinces. The Eastern Cape is bearing the brunt, with the South African Weather Service (Saws) warning of a high risk of severe flooding, dangerous travel conditions, and closed roads.

What’s behind the severe weather? The culprit is a “cut-off low” — a weather system where very cold air becomes trapped and spins above the country, separated from the usual westerly winds.

Meteorologist Annette Botha from Vox Weather explains that this system is unusually deep, stretching from the upper atmosphere all the way to the ground — a setup more common in winter, and one that brings especially intense cold, rain, and snow.

Snow is expected across most provinces, with icy temperatures, strong winds and heavy rain forecast this coming weekend, until the middle of next week.

South Africa (SA) is in for a weekend of extreme winter weather, with most provinces facing bitterly cold conditions, gusty winds, and the possibility of snow, except Limpopo.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that a particularly intense cut-off low system will begin affecting the Western and Northern Cape early on Saturday, 7 June, before sweeping eastward to impact the central and eastern provinces by Monday. SAWS warns the system is likely to persist over the eastern regions until at least midweek.

Farmers, visitors and vendors alike can breathe a sigh of relief as perfect weather conditions are predicted for Nampo, taking place in Bothaville, Free State, from 13 to 16 May.

While grain farmers struggled to start the harvest season due to excessive rain and Nampo personnel lamented a rain-soaked terrain, drier, warmer conditions have prevailed over the last week.

Vox Weather meteorologist Michelle Cordier told Farmer’s Weekly that there was no reason farmers needed to miss Nampo in order to catch up on harvesting since these conditions were expected to last.

A cold front is expected to move over the country this weekend, but by Tuesday clear skies are expected, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 18°C and 24°C.

Cordier said that this was around 4°C cooler than last year, which offered up a notably warmer Nampo than usual.

The ‘biggest danger’ associated with this cold front will be the strong to gale North Westerly winds expected across the Cape Metro, says meteorologist Michelle du Plessis.

CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks to Vox Weather Meteorologist Michelle du Plessis.

Vandag is die eerste Maandag van Mei, en in sekere dele van die land was dit al snerpend koud aan die begin van die winter. In Johannesburg was dit oornag 8 grade Celsius en daar is nog vier maande van koue nagte wat voorlê.

Annette Botha is ‘n metereoloog verbonde aan die onafhanklike digitale weerkanaal, Vox Weather.

Sy vertel wat Suid-Afrikaners hierdie winter te wagte kan wees.

From a maths-loving farm girl to one of SA’s most recognisable meteorologists, Annette Botha is bringing weather to life in a whole new way.

With her long blonde hair, bright smile and warm personality, Vox Weather founder and meteorologist Annette Botha resembles South Africa’s very own Wonder Woman of weather.

She dreams of flying high and empowering others – one weather update at a time. Botha, 33, describes herself as a sunshine kind of person with a passion for maths and weather systems.

Riverwell Residents Association workers help clean flood damage, including a crushed palisade fence and collapsed garden wall, on the Dolfhout Street bridge over the Klein Jukskei in Weltevreden Park, 6 March 2025, after heavy rains caused massive flooding across north-western Joburg yesterday. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen

The vicious thunderstorm which hit northern Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon, causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage and power outages, is classified officially as a cloudburst.

But predicting one of these with accuracy is almost impossible with current technology, says a weather expert.

Vox Weather meteorologist Michelle du Plessis said the storm that hit Johannesburg and surrounding areas was not a supercell, but a cloudburst.

“A cloudburst is defined as 10cm (100mm) or more of rainfall within one hour, leading to rapid water accumulation.

This explains why areas such as Johannesburg, including Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, Sandton, and Kempton Park, recently experienced extreme rainfall,” she said…

Die brug in Gertrudestraat, Randparkrif, wat oorspoel het. Inwoners dink dis as gevolg van padwerke by dié brug dat hulle huise verspoel het.

Snow possible in central SA and Gauteng this week

Forecaster warned that snow is possible in central SA and Gauteng this week. Here is the latest weather update.

Snow a possibility for Gauteng as cold weather grips SA

Brutal winter storm slams South Africa: Eastern Cape on high alert with flooding, snow and road chaos

Comrades Marathon runners warned to prepare for extreme winter weather during run this weekend

Sunny and cool weather expected to welcome Nampo visitors

Cold front hits Western Cape this weekend: Expect thundershowers, gale-force winds

Verwagte weerstoestande vir die winter

Annette Botha: SA’s Wonder Woman of weather

Experts warn of more flooding as Johannesburg reels from cloudburst

Jhb se Klein-Jukskeirivier stroom deur huise ná wolkbreuk