The day that was: extreme weather to hit SA, prepping for Ramaphosa & Trump meet, Meyerton shootout
Eyewitness News 20 May 2025 | 18:05 Cyril Ramaphosa
Donald Trump
South African Weather Service (SAWS)
English bulletin 20 May
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The Citizen
4 hours ago
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Snow hunters… Here's where to see snow this weekend
Snow hunters… Here's where to see snow this weekend Snow hunters across South Africa are on high alert as weather models indicate more than 50cm of snow could blanket parts of the country in the coming days, making this one of the most widespread winter events in years. Pretoria Rekord reports that a powerful cold front will strike the Western Cape today, spreading bitterly cold, wet and windy weather across the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and beyond — with snow expected in eight of the nine provinces, including parts of Pretoria and the southern Highveld of Gauteng by Monday, depending on model shifts. According to Vox Weather's Michelle du Plessis, the system will intensify as it develops into a cut-off low, dragging freezing levels lower and setting the stage for heavy snow over mountain ranges, including the Drakensberg, Southern Lesotho and parts of KZN, where the deepest accumulations are expected. With social media already buzzing among snow hunters, forecasters warn that travel conditions could become hazardous, especially on mountain passes and rural roads. Authorities urge South Africans to prepare for widespread frost, strong winds and icy conditions into next week, and to closely monitor updates as forecasts continue to evolve. Here is where you will find snow: In the Western Cape: Matroosberg Cederberg Swartberg In the Northern Cape: Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountain Sutherland Great Karoo High-lying areas in the Cape: Around Fraserburg Loxton Murraysburg Richmond Noupoort, Colesberg Burgersdorp Aliwal North Molteno and surrounds Lesotho could experience snow depths exceeding 50cm on Monday, particularly around Afri Ski, and in the Eastern Cape may expect between 50cm of snow over the southern Drakensberg and nearby towns, including Barkly East. A mix of snow/ice, rain and sleet is possible over the southern and eastern Free State: Bethlehem Warden Heilbron Reitz Memel Reddersburg Trompsburg and surrounding towns, including the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape, around Postmasburg and Kuruman The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging coastal winds from Saldanha Bay to Cape Agulhas, and icy road conditions are expected across several interior districts, especially around Beaufort West. With snowfall already likely over Lesotho and nearby areas by tomorrow, and heavier falls predicted through next week, South Africans are advised to monitor updates closely and prepare for travel disruptions, icy roads and sudden temperature drops. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
7 hours ago
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Severe weather system to sweep across SA from this weekend
Severe weather system to sweep across SA from this weekend A powerful cut-off low weather system is set to sweep across the country, bringing snowfall, freezing temperatures, damaging winds and flooding from June 7–12, warns the SA Weather Service. Residents across South Africa are urged to prepare for a dramatic shift in weather this weekend, as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts snow, icy temperatures and hazardous conditions linked to a powerful cut-off low-pressure system. The system is expected to begin affecting the Western and Northern Cape early on Saturday, June 7, before moving eastwards. By Monday and Tuesday, this extensive and severe winter weather system will have shifted further east over South Africa, affecting the central and eastern provinces,' SAWS stated. Significant drops in daytime temperatures are expected in all provinces except Limpopo. SAWS has advised small stock farmers to take precautions to protect their animals from exposure to extreme cold and strong winds. Snowfall is expected in almost every province, excluding Limpopo. In some areas, snow could be disruptive, impacting travel and transport, particularly along key routes such as the N3 at Van Reenen's Pass on Monday and Tuesday. Inland areas will experience strong, damaging winds from Sunday. These conditions will heighten the risk of wildfires over the central and eastern interior, especially just before the cold front arrives. Along the coast, strong to near-gale force winds and rough seas will develop from Friday along the south-west coastline. The stormy conditions are expected to persist on the southern and eastern coasts on Saturday and are expected to last until at least Tuesday. Heavy rain is forecast for parts of the Eastern Cape and nearby inland areas on Sunday. Rain will move to southern KZN on Monday, potentially leading to localised flooding and infrastructure damage. Maximum daytime temperatures in many areas are expected to remain below 10°C from Sunday, with wind chill making conditions feel even colder. Severe thunderstorms, possibly with damaging hail and strong winds, may occur in parts of North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KZN on Monday and Tuesday. SAWS confirmed it will continue to monitor the weather system and issue updates as needed. Residents are encouraged to follow official SAWS channels on X (@SAWeatherServic), Facebook (South African Weather Service), or visit for real-time alerts. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
18 hours ago
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KZN ready to tackle weather threats during Comrades Marathon
KZN Cogta is ready to respond to weather emergencies as thousands gather for the Comrades Marathon this weekend. The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has assured the public that the department is prepared to respond to any weather-related challenges this week. As KZN welcomes thousands of Comrades Marathon runners, the MEC said that public safety remains the department's top priority. Comrades Marathon weather warnings The South African Weather Service (Saws) has warned runners to expect predominantly mild to warm and windy conditions, with partly cloudy to cloudy skies. 'However, runners should be aware of a cool change in the weather later in the day when a coastal low and cold front are expected to move northwards up the KwaZulu-Natal coast, introducing colder, more moist conditions to the coast and adjacent interior,' Saws warned. There will also be a risk of showers or thunderstorms developing over the Drakensberg, spreading to the coast in the evening. ALSO READ: Comrades Marathon: Top five men's and women's contenders Amid weather warnings, KZN Cogta announced that it has mobilised disaster management teams to ensure a coordinated response. 'Our teams will be closely monitoring routes starting from today, especially as runners on Sunday and spectators begin their journeys from Sunday evening after the conclusion of the race,' Buthelezi said in a briefing on Friday. KZN's preparations The MEC outlined the province's preparations for the Comrades Marathon, including stockpiling relief supplies such as blankets, mattresses, and non-perishable foods. Buthelezi emphasised that provincial centres and public facilities stand ready to provide temporary shelter. He also urged road users to exercise caution due to the forecasted weather conditions. Municipalities will monitor road conditions and announce closures and traffic redirects if necessary. ALSO READ: Here's when snow could fall in your province 'Our social partners are also ready to deploy relief to strategically identified high-risk areas, especially along major travel routes,' the MEC said. Buthelezi explained that the focus extends beyond the immediate cold front to the broader winter season, with a well-developed and regularly updated winter contingency plan. Winter plan The province's plan includes conducting proactive risk assessments to identify areas most vulnerable to winter disasters such as floods, heavy snowfall, and extreme cold. The MEC affirmed the provincial government's commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of communities throughout the winter season. 'We have immense confidence in our dedicated disaster management teams and our valued partners who work tirelessly to mitigate the impact of severe weather,' he said. NOW READ: Five tips for novices from Comrades Marathon legend Louis Massyn
