South Africa is bracing for a spell of severe winter weather on Monday, August 10 with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) warning of disruptive snowfall, heavy rain, damaging winds and severe thunderstorms across several provinces.
An Orange Level-6 warning has been issued for disruptive snow over parts of the Eastern Cape, including Chris Hani District, Senqu, Elundini and Matatiele municipalities. The snowfall is expected to disrupt livelihoods, that will cause major traffic disruptions and temporarily isolate some communities through Tuesday.
A Yellow Level-4 warning has also been issued for KwaZulu-Natal, where damaging winds and waves along the coast could disrupt small harbours and ports, create dangerous navigation conditions and affect coastal activities. Flying debris could pose a threat to infrastructure, settlements and public safety.
Additional Yellow Level-2 warnings cover disruptive snowfall in parts of the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as disruptive rainfall over parts of the Eastern Cape and southern and western KwaZulu-Natal. Localised flooding of vulnerable settlements, roads and bridges is also possible.
Severe thunderstorms are expected across parts of North-West, the north-eastern Free State and southern Gauteng, potentially causing damage to infrastructure, informal settlements, property, vehicles, livestock and livelihoods. Damaging winds are also forecast across parts of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State and western North-West.
SAWS stated that a cold front accompanied by a cut-off low would affect the Free State, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, southern Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal. Very cold and windy conditions, mountain snowfall and rough to very rough seas are expected.
Major cities will also experience unsettled conditions. Johannesburg could see scattered showers and thundershowers, with light snowfall possible in the evening. While Bloemfontein is forecast to experience showers, thunderstorms and light snowfall, with temperatures reaching only 9°C.
Durban and Richards Bay are expected to experience widespread rain and strong south-westerly winds, potentially reaching gale force. Whereas, Cape Town will remain partly cloudy, with temperatures between 10°C and 15°C.
SAWS has advised the public, motorists and small-stock farmers to take necessary precautions as the severe conditions persist through August 10 and 11, 2026.