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Rare Snowstorm Disrupts South Africa’s Roads

Rare Snowstorm Disrupts South Africa’s Roads

A rare snowstorm has caused significant disruptions across South Africa, particularly impacting the N3 highway, which connects Johannesburg and Durban. The storm, which hit on September 21, 2024, brought heavy snowfall, black ice, and poor visibility, leading to multiple road closures, including at Van Reenen’s Pass.

People remained stranded in their vehicles into midday after spending the night on the highway. According to reports, the snowfall ranged between 15 to 30 cm in several regions, particularly affecting the northeastern high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the eastern Free State.

Vusi Mona, general manager of South Africa’s National Road Agency, advised road users to avoid the affected areas as more inclement weather was forecasted. While snowfall is not uncommon in higher elevations, such as the Drakensberg mountains, it is rare for lower-lying regions.

Although the exact causes of this unusual weather event are not directly linked to climate change, trends indicate an increase in extreme weather events in the region, as noted in South Africa’s National Adaptation Plan.

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