Winter storm forecast to hit South Africa from 9 to 11 August

By Lebone Rodah Mosima

South Africans have been warned to brace for a significant winter cold front expected to bring widespread rain, snow, strong winds and a sharp drop in temperatures across large parts of the country from 9 to 11 August.

Weather forecaster Vox Weather said on Wednesday that a strong cold front, supported by a ridging high-pressure system, is expected to move across the southern parts of the country on Sunday.

“Widespread rain is likely over the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and parts of the Northern Cape, later spreading towards the Free State, Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal,” Vox said.

It added that freezing levels are expected to drop low enough for snow over the higher mountain peaks of the Western Cape, including the Cederberg, Matroosberg, Hottentots Holland, Boland and Swartberg mountain ranges.

Heavier snowfall is also possible around Sutherland and across the high-lying areas of the Karoo, including the