The five SA provinces most likely to see snow this Women’s Day weekend
South Africans hoping to experience a winter wonderland this Women’s Day long weekend could be in luck. Weather models are tracking a powerful cut-off…
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South Africans hoping to experience a winter wonderland this Women’s Day long weekend could be in luck.
Weather models are tracking a powerful cut-off low-pressure system expected to move across much of the country between 9 and 11 August, bringing widespread rain, icy temperatures, strong winds and what forecasters say could be the biggest snowfall event of winter 2026.
While forecasts are still likely to change over the coming days, these are the five provinces with the highest chance of seeing snow.
KwaZulu-Natal is expected to be one of the hardest-hit provinces.
Snow is most likely over the Drakensberg mountains, particularly near the Lesotho border and around Sani Pass, where significant accumulations are possible if current forecasts hold.
Motorists travelling through mountain passes should prepare for the possibility of hazardous driving conditions and even temporary road closures.
The Eastern Cape is another strong contender for significant snowfall.
Areas around Barkly East, Lady Grey and Matatiele have the highest chance of disruptive snow, while rain is expected across much of the province.
Historically, this region experiences some of South Africa’s most severe snow-related road closures during major winter weather events.
The eastern Free State is forecast to experience bitterly cold conditions, with snow likely along the Lesotho border, including the QwaQwa region.
Combined with strong winds and widespread frost, temperatures are expected to plunge throughout the long weekend.
Although widespread heavy snow is not expected, higher peaks in the Cederberg and Hex River Mountains could receive a dusting.
Most of the province will instead experience widespread rain, strong winds and much colder weather.
Mpumalanga rounds out the top five, with the province’s Highveld and escarpment offering an outside chance of snowfall.
The highest elevations near the KwaZulu-Natal and Free State borders stand the best chance of seeing flakes, although significant accumulation currently appears less likely than in the Drakensberg or Eastern Cape.
Could other provinces see snow this Women’s Day weekend?
There is also a little possibility of snow or sleet in parts of Gauteng, particularly over higher-lying areas, although confidence remains low.
Similarly, isolated snowfall cannot be ruled out over the higher ground around Sutherland in the Northern Cape.
Because the weather system is still several days away, forecasters caution that snowfall amounts and locations may change as newer weather data becomes available.
Even so, the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains and Lesotho border remain the areas most likely to see the heaviest snowfall.