The service warned of high seas and gale force winds around coast of the Western Cape coast with snow extending from the Western Cape as far as Sutherland in the Northern Cape. Snow Report SA tweeted that snow had fallen in Ceres, Robertson, Matroosberg, and Theronsberg in the Western Cape and Sutherland in the Northern Cape.
Treacherous weather
“At the moment [the cold front] is over the central parts of the country. It has already passed the Western Cape, the Northern Cape, and the western parts of the Eastern Cape,” said forecaster Lulama Pheme.
The interior of the country remains dry with ideal conditions for the spread of veldt fires in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and North West.
Temperatures in the Free State will start at below freezing on Friday through the weekend and in North West, Vryburg will start at -5°C on Friday morning, and only go up to 14°C.
While sunny weather is predicted for Gauteng, the temperature will remain cold and Pretoria won’t go above 20°C over the next five days.
The treacherous weather is expected to contribute to an increase in road collisions and drivers have been urged to increase their following distances and drive with their lights on – especially as visibility decreases.
The N3 Toll Concession said that Van Reenen’s Pass between Harrismith and Ladysmith is prone to high winds, icy conditions and snow.
Localised flooding due to heavy rain in the Western Cape and Northern Cape, snow and cold conditions in the Eastern Cape, Free State and North West may cause roads to be closed and drivers should plan alternative routes.
Inclement weather may also affect traffic lights, resulting in delays.