By Rorisang Modiba
- The South African Weather Service issued a yellow level 2 snow warning for high-lying Eastern Cape areas, with icy roads and traffic disruptions expected.
- Gauteng recorded its coldest night of 2026 on Thursday, with Vereeniging dropping to 2°C and Johannesburg hitting 3°C.
A cold front is moving across South Africa and it is making itself felt from the highveld to the coast.
The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow level 2 warning for disruptive snowfall in high-lying parts of the Eastern Cape. Icy roads and traffic disruptions are expected.
A separate yellow level 4 warning covers the stretch of coastline between Plettenberg Bay and East London, where damaging winds and large waves are putting small vessels at serious risk.
In Gauteng, Thursday night was the coldest of the year. Vereeniging dropped to 2°C, Johannesburg recorded 3°C and Pretoria came in at 5°C. The province is expected to stay cool to cold through the weekend, with cloud building in southern areas.
The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services said it is on high alert while temperatures remain low. Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi urged residents using braziers or imbaulas to keep them in well-ventilated spaces and move them outside before sleeping. Heaters and candles must not be left unattended, and children should be kept away from all open heat sources.
Gauteng residents have also been warned about UV exposure. Despite the cold, the province’s UVB sunburn index remains high.
Pictured above: A cold front is bringing snow to high-lying parts of the Eastern Cape and near-freezing temperatures to Gauteng.
Image source: Pexels
