logo
Snow in KZN? Here's what we know so far

Snow in KZN? Here's what we know so far

It was expected to snow in KwaZulu-Natal this April and that's what had locals buzzing a few days ago. The many reports of cold fronts taking over parts of the country caused many to believe snow was headed for the Drakensberg and its surrounding areas. But as the days go by, many are left wondering: is the snow still coming?
In mid-April, several weather alerts warned the people of KZN of possible snowfall. Reports revealed it is expected to snow, especially around the high-altitude regions near the Drakensberg. The South African Weather Service indicated that the province could expect heavy rains and very cold weather.
So far, most areas that were expected to be affected have only experienced a bit of rain but mostly cloudy days. The drastic drop in temperature and heavy snowfall that had been hinted at hasn't happened. Since there have not been any fresh updates from SAWS, it looks like the snowstorm might've fizzled out before it even arrived.
On social media people have chirped in. 'I kept checking the mountains from my backyard,' said Jabu on X. 'We were told to expect snow, but there's nothing.' Others say they've learned not to trust the weather forecast until it actually hits. For now, it looks like the much-anticipated KwaZulu-Natal snow is a no-show. Unless the skies surprise us later this week, people should keep in mind there has been no official confirmation that it's still on the way.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Death toll in South Africa floods rise to 78
Death toll in South Africa floods rise to 78

IOL News

time8 hours ago

  • IOL News

Death toll in South Africa floods rise to 78

The death toll has risen to 78 following inclement weather and flooding in the Eastern Cape this week. Image: OR Tambo District Municipality South African rescue teams recovered more bodies Thursday, days after heavy rains and strong winds battered the Eastern Cape province, as the death toll rose to at least 78. The bitterly cold winter storm struck the largely rural and underdeveloped province on Monday, causing a river to burst its banks and submerge homes, with several make-shift dwellings toppled. The worst-hit area was around the city of Mthatha, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Johannesburg, where residents picked through the mud three days later to salvage what they could from their destroyed homes. AFP journalists saw a rescue team pull four bodies, some of them children, from a one-roomed house in the late afternoon as locals watched. Houses, trees and cars were covered in mud and fields were strewn with debris. "As the water subsides, more bodies are being discovered," said Caroline Gallant, Eastern Cape manager at the South African Red Cross Society, which has sent assistance to the disaster zone. Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says there will be strict oversight on disaster relief funds that are allocated to provinces, following the flooding this week. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives More than 3,000 houses have been affected, she told AFP, adding it was "the worst ever disaster" recorded in the area. "The figure has gone to 78," Velenkosini Hlabisa, minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, told public broadcaster SABC News. These include six school students who were among 10 in a school van that was swept away in the flooding, he said. Four of the children are still missing, officials said. "We learnt of an additional two learners today... who have been confirmed as having died on the walk to school," Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said. "We are reeling," she told the SABC. Ali Sablay, a spokesperson for disaster response charity the Gift of the Givers Foundation, said Thursday evening their teams had recovered eight new bodies, including three children. President Cyril Ramaphosa called the floods "unprecedented" and said he would visit the disaster-hit region Friday. Door to door One rescuer, who spoke to AFP on Thursday on the condition of anonymity as he was not allowed to speak to the media, said his team was expecting to find more bodies and possibly survivors. "We are going door to door to see, because yesterday we did find people locked inside houses who couldn't get out and were deceased," he said. The storm damaged power and water supplies and at least 600 people have been displaced, the provincial government said, with many sheltering in community halls. Infrastructure has also been damaged and at least 20 health facilities affected, the local authority said. "The numbers will increase dramatically," Sablay said. "In the last 24 hours the number of people requiring assistance has jumped from 5,000 to 10,000," he told AFP. "The homes are fragile, they can collapse any time; food is contaminated so people need to be evacuated," he added. The government urged South Africans to be vigilant over the next few days as more "extreme weather" was expected across the country. The province -- where Nelson Mandela was born -- is among the poorest in the country, with 72 percent of people living below the poverty line, according to the Southern African Regional Poverty Network. Snow and heavy rainfall are common during winter but the country is also highly vulnerable to the impact of climate variability and change, which increases the frequency and severity of droughts, floods and wildfires, according to the Green Climate Fund. "We must take a tough stance that everyone who is living on a flood plain must be removed," minister Hlabisa said. "Climate change is a reality now." SUNDAY TRIBUNE

Floods and climate resilience: key findings from South Africa's weather-related disasters study
Floods and climate resilience: key findings from South Africa's weather-related disasters study

IOL News

timea day ago

  • IOL News

Floods and climate resilience: key findings from South Africa's weather-related disasters study

File image of damages caused by the April 2024 flash flood in Margate on the KZN South Coast. Image: Johan Steyn As the death toll rises to 67 from the recent floods in the Eastern Cape, Dr Mary-Jane Bopape., Managing Director of the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), along with her research collaborators, just released a comprehensive analysis of weather-related disasters in South Africa from 1980 to 2023. The research, utilising data from respected sources such as the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) and synoptic charts provided by the South African Weather Service, offers critical insights that are set to transform our understanding of climate resilience and disaster management. The study, which draws on sophisticated meteorological reanalyses such as the fifth generation European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting reanalysis (ERA5) and data from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), identifies floods and storms as the most recurrent weather-related disasters faced in South Africa. Notably, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province is highlighted as the most affected region, with the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality emerging as the area with the highest number of recorded disaster events across the entire country. Remarkably, while KZN is known for its high rainfall, the research indicates that eThekwini does not necessarily experience more rainfall compared to other districts within the province. This surprising outcome suggests that human factors tied to urbanisation may exacerbate the impacts of weather-related disasters in these metropolitan areas. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Managing Director of the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF- SAEON), Dr Mary-Jane Bopape Image: Supplied "With these insights, we can better inform climate resilience strategies and proactive disaster management efforts. This important contribution to the field paves the way for more effective responses to climate challenges and disaster preparedness in our communities," says Dr Bopape. Her vision is clear: to leverage this study's findings for the benefit of future policies and community safety. Across South Africa, the research highlights that major urban centres, particularly the eThekwini, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Cape Town metropolises, report significant occurrences of weather-related disasters. Notably, Johannesburg has been identified as a hotspot for floods, while Ekurhuleni leads in storm incidents within Gauteng province. However, urbanisation patterns may play a pivotal role in shaping disaster outcomes, with Gauteng noted for reporting the fewest droughts, likely due to its urban character.

Weather Update: What to expect for the rest of the week
Weather Update: What to expect for the rest of the week

IOL News

timea day ago

  • IOL News

Weather Update: What to expect for the rest of the week

What South Africans can expect from the weather for the rest of the week, including clear skies, colder temperatures, and isolated showers along the coast South Africa is in for a crisp and mostly stable end to the week as the South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecasts fine weather conditions across the country, with isolated showers confined mainly to the east coast and colder air sweeping in from the interior. On Thursday, no severe weather alerts have been issued. Most parts of the country will enjoy clear skies and calm conditions, with De Aar, Kimberley, and Bloemfontein under bright sunshine. The only notable rainfall is expected along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, particularly around Durban and Richards Bay, where a 30% chance of light coastal showers is forecast. Morning fog patches and low clouds will hug parts of Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, but these are expected to clear as the day progresses. Light to moderate winds will accompany the day, with Cape Agulhas, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town seeing gusts of up to 30 km/h.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store