Snow forecast for Table Mountain as warning hits Orange level 8

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange level 8 warning for the Western Cape on Sunday, 7 July.

Snow falls on Table Mountain. Image: X/ @TableMountainCA

The SA Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Orange level 8 warning for the Western Cape on Sunday, 7 July.

SAWS confirmed that an intense weather system will result in gale to strong gale westerly to north-westerly winds (70-90km/h gusting 90-120km/h) over the City of Cape Town, Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, Overstrand and Theewaterskloof municipalities on Sunday.

The prolonged strong winds with guts exceeding 100km/h are a cause for concern.

Widespread damage to settlements (both informal and formal) and structural damage may be expected. Widespread disruption to power, communication and utilities is also possible. Expected travel delays and high sided vehicles may be at risk of falling over as a result of strong crosswinds.

Sunday, 7 July

More significant and widespread snow possible over the Cape provinces as a stronger front reaches the country.

At the time of publishing, the weather model shows heavy disruptive snow could fall over the mountain peaks in the Western Cape (Matroosberg Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Swartberg Mountain Range), and Northern Cape (Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains), including the town of Sutherland, spreading to the Great Karoo and the high-lying areas in the Cape provinces (around Calvinia, Loxton, Beaufort West, Molteno, Barkley East and surroundings), southern Drakenberg and Lesotho.

Snow chasers

YES! Snow IS possible on Table Mountain.

Medium confidence

Freezing levels are likely to drop to about 1 000m to 1 200m on Sunday, which could mean a light snow dusting for Table Mountain, but this could quickly melt if it falls with rain or when it starts raining afterwards.

Medium to high confidence

Snow is still very likely to fall at the foot of the mountains at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape on Sunday.

Monday, 8 July

Ground snow is possible on Sunday into Monday morning around the escarpment and over the high-lying areas and small towns in the Eastern Cape (around Barkly East, Molteno, Lady Grey and surrounding towns).

More snowfall is likely into Monday over the mountain peaks in the Western Cape (Matroosberg Nature Reserve, Cederberg and Swartberg Mountain Range, also including the Hottentots Holland mountains and Boland mountains), with ground snow possible in Ceres.

Snow showers are possible over the Northern Cape (Nuweveld and Roggeveld mountains), the town of Sutherland, spreading to the Great Karoo and the high-lying areas in the Eastern Cape with significant snow possible over the southern Drakensberg and Lesotho.

Very light snow is also possible on Monday as far north as Griekwastad, south of Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, and the southern parts of the Free State, but again, this could quickly melt if it falls with rain showers.

Small town bordering the Maluti mountains in the Free State (Ficksburg and Clarens) as well as the southern high-lying areas near Fauresmith and Reddersburg could see a light dusting of snow early on Monday morning.

Stay warm outside, fellow South Africans!

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