Snow news: SNOW seen in parts of SA on Monday

Snow was confirmed in parts of South Africa on Monday, with even MORE forecast for the day. Check out some of the beautiful pictures here…

What a way to start Spring – SNOW was confirmed in several parts of South Africa on Monday.

LOOK AS SNOW, RAIN AND WIND ARE EXPECTED FOR TODAY

Several warnings have also been issued for Monday. 

According to VoxWeather, snowfall was expected to start on Sunday evening and continue into Monday. 

Wet, very windy, and cold conditions are expected over the western parts of the Western and Northern Cape from Sunday until Monday.

Northwesterly winds are also expected ahead of the snowfall on Sunday evening.

ALSO READ: SEE the stunning SNOW in parts of SA on FRIDAY

SEVERAL WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR MONDAY

A cold front made landfall in the Western Cape on Sunday, and this is expected to bring in icy cold polar air that could cause snow to fall on Sunday evening. 

The following areas could experience snowfall: 

• Winterberg Mountain Range
• Sneeuberg Mountain Range
• South Drakenberg Mountain Range
• Swartberg Mountain Range
• Sutherland
• Beaufort West
• Graaff-Reinet
• Nieu-Bethesda
• Willowmore
• Uniondale
• Kokstad
• Underberg

HERE ARE THE TOP FIVE PLACES IN SA TO GO HUNT FOR SNOW:

• Underberg: Snowfalls in the Underberg can occur anywhere from May through to October. The highest recorded snowfall in the area and, therefore, possibly the best time to go in search of snow is in August. Situated a mere 40kms from Underberg, Sani Pass is a great snow spot to explore, with the first winter snowfall having fallen there in late May this year. Be advised though, that you need a 4 x 4 to drive up the pass.
• Golden Gate: The winter months in Golden Gate are very cold and temperatures can plummet to between -9 and -15°C. Snow is no stranger to this area.
• Midlands: Winter in the Natal Midlands is cool and dry, with occasional snow and frost and average temperatures of 6°C. August 2021 saw the KZN Midlands transformed into a white-blanketed wonderland along with other large parts of SA previously untouched by it.

Meanwhile, scattered showers are expected in parts of the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape.

Winds: 

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a level 3 warning for damaging winds for Monday. 

A LEVEL 3 WARNING FOR DAMAGING WINDS WAS ISSUED

“Difficulty in navigation at sea is likely with small vessels and personal watercrafts (e.g. kayaks) at risk of taking on water and capsizing. 

Short and localised disruptions of ports are possible, especially over the southwestern coastline. Fishermen should take caution when out on the rocks. The build-up of sand on coastal routes is also possible.” 

SAWS

It furthermore warned of large, unpredictable waves along the coast. Small vessels are advised to seek shelter in harbours, bays or inlets.

These areas will be affected by winds: 

• M_Richtersveld
• Port Nolloth
• M_Kamiesberg
• Hondeklip Bay
• M_Matzikama
• Strandfontein
• M_Cederberg
• Lamberts Bay
• M_Saldanha Bay
• Saldanha Bay
• M_City of Cape town
• Cape Point
• Drakenstein
• Paarl
• Laingsburg
• Hantam
• Calvinia
• Karoo Hoogland
• Sutherland
• Beaufort West
• Hessequa
• Riversdale
• M_Knysna
• Knysna
• M_Kou-Kamma
• Tsitsikama
• M_Ndlambe
• Port Alfred
• Witzenberg
• Ceres
• M_Knysna
• Knysna
• M_Hessequa
• Still Bay
• M_Overstrand
• Hermanus
• M_Cape Agulhas
• Cape

Veld Fires: 

“Conditions are such that the Fire Danger Index (FDI) is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.”

SAWS

Conditions are such that the FDI index is above 75. Under these conditions, fires may develop and spread rapidly, resulting in damage to property and possible loss of human and/or animal life.

A WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR VELD FIRES

The SAWS advised that fire teams, labour and equipment should to be placed on stand-by.

“At the first sign of smoke, every possible measure should be taken in order to bring the fire under control in the shortest possible time.”

These areas will be affected:

• Bela-Bela
• Makhuduthamaga
• Makhuduthamaga/Jane Furse
• Ephraim Mogale
• Marble Hall
• Elias Motsoaledi
• Groblersdal
• Dr JS Moroka
• Nokaneng
• City of Tshwane
• Pretoria
• Thembisile Hani
• Tweefontein
• Ekurhuleni
• Kempton park
• City of Johannesburg / Johannesburg
• Beaufort West
• Prince Albert
• Dr Beyers Naude – Graaff-Reinet
• Graaff – Reinet
• Inxuba Yethemba
• Cradock
• Walter Sisulu – Burgersdorp
• Burgersdorp
• Raymond Mhlaba – Fort Beaufort
• Fort Beaufort
• Intsika Yethu
• Cofimvaba
• Sakhisizwe
• Elliot
• Emalahleni
• Lady Frere
• Enoch Magijima – Komani
• Komani/Queenstown
• Inxuba Yethemba
• Cradock
• Blue Crane Route
• Somerset East
• Dr Beyers Naude – Baviaans
• Willowmore

WHAT TO DO WHEN VELD FIRES APPROACH YOUR PROPERTY

What you should do when veld fire approaches your property: 

• Decide whether it is safer to stay or leave the scene.
• Wear protective clothing and footwear.
• Have emergency food and medical supplies ready.
• Move livestock to safer areas.
• Listen to the radio for news updates.
• Wet the garden and house, especially on the side of the approaching fire.
• Plug gutters and fill them with water.
• Fill baths, buckets and dust bins with water in case the water supply fails, and have mops handy.
• Seal any gaps between the doors and floor using wet towels or similar items.
• Close all windows and doors.
• If you decide to stay, go indoors and remain there until the fire has passed.
• Take fire hoses and other firefighting equipment indoors with you.
• Check inside the house, including the roof cavity, and extinguish any small fires immediately.
• Remain vigilant after the fire has passed.
• If you decide to evacuate your home, remember that every second counts:
• Escape first, then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and make sure everyone in the family gathers at an agreed meeting place outside.
• Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room.
• Practise feeling your way out with your eyes closed.
• Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered.
• Practice your family emergency plan / home escape plan frequently with your family.
• Never return to a burning building for any reason, you could die.
• Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a home fire

By: Corné van Zyl