BLOEMFONTEIN – Several routes across the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal are extremely dangerous due to snowfall, ice and heavy rain.

Affected roads in the Free State include the R702 Dewetsdorp Road which is covered in ice, the N3 near Harrismith where heavy snow fell, the N6 between Reddersburg and Smithfield, and the N1 between Springfontein and Trompsburg.

Heavy snowfall also fell on Lootsberg Pass, Wapadsberg, Penhoek and Barkly Pass in the Eastern Cape. The R332 Baviaanskloof Road is closed due to flooding.

The R102 between Gqeberha and Jeffreys Bay is closed due to rock falls. Passes in the Eastern Cape are open, but roads remain slippery and motorists are cautioned.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, warned motorists about road closures at 12:00:

The R617 remains closed due to a cut-off low-pressure system that triggered heavy snowfall. Motorists can use the R56.

The route from Kokstad towards Matatiele is wet and motorists are requested to reduce speed and keep to the recommended following distance.

The N2 from Kokstad towards Beestekraal is slippery due to light snowfall.

The N2 towards Brooksnek is wet with snowfall continuing.

The N3 from Mooi River towards Midway is wet and drizzling.

Duma warned snow chasers to delay their trips until roads are safe.

Also read: Severe weather warnings issued as snow and damaging winds hit several provinces; Swartberg Pass closed.

Weather outlook

The South African Weather Service says cold and very cold conditions across the central and eastern parts of the country will persist for the rest of Monday and Tuesday 11 August.

A Level 2 warning is in effect for the Eastern Cape for showers and rain across the province, with heavy downpours in places like Nyandeni, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill.

Level 2 warnings were also announced for the central interior. The forecast for the Free State is snowfall in the southern and eastern parts of the province, along the Lesotho border and in parts of the Northern Cape, which may continue tomorrow.

Surface winds of 50 to 60 km/h with gusts of up to 90 km/h are expected over the east of the Northern Cape, most parts of the Free State and the extreme west of the North West.