Heavy snow fell across the Karoo on Wednesday, covering several towns in a thick white blanket. Residents woke to wintry scenes after snow began overnight on Tuesday in places such as Richmond, Hanover, Noupoort and Colesberg.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued warnings as bitterly cold and wet conditions continue to grip the central interior. Free State and Northern Cape residents face low temperatures and possible rain for the rest of the week.

Karoo Towns Experience Heavy Snowfall

Snow in the Karoo transformed the landscape in Richmond, Hanover, Noupoort and Colesberg early on Wednesday. Murraysburg also woke up under heavy snow while 100 mm of rain had already fallen since Tuesday.

Prince Albert recorded 100 mm of rain in just 12 hours. The area around Robert Sobukwe town (formerly Graaff-Reinet) saw the Pienaars River in flood after 90 mm to 110 mm overnight. Uniondale measured the highest rainfall at 136 mm.

Saag Visagie, a Richmond resident, told Netwerk24 the conditions felt extremely cold. He added that this winter already seems much colder than previous years.

SAWS Issues Orange Level 5 Warning for Snow

The SAWS issued an orange level 5 warning for heavy and disruptive snowfall across the Eastern Cape for Wednesday and Thursday. Forecasters expect 10 cm to 20 cm of snow in affected areas.

All passes in the Eastern Cape closed because of dangerous conditions. Motorists received strong warnings to drive with care, while farmers learned that small livestock face a serious risk of death in the wet and freezing weather.

Heavy rain also disrupted large parts of the country. In the Free State, continuous rain since the previous Thursday washed away numerous dirt roads and left rivers and streams in flood.

Continued Cold Forecast for Free State and Northern Cape

No major snow is expected in the Free State, although light sleet fell in Bloemfontein. Lungile Makondo, a weather forecaster in the Bloemfontein office, said snow in Lesotho is driving icy winds and very cold temperatures across the province for the rest of the week.

Minimum temperatures will drop below 0 °C in large parts of the Free State. A 30 % chance of rain exists on Thursday, mainly in the eastern parts, with strong winds. Cold conditions persist on Friday before a slight improvement on Saturday, when minimums rise above freezing. No rain is forecast for the weekend.

Similar cold and windy weather is expected across the Northern Cape on Thursday and Friday. Northern parts of the province will see even lower minimum temperatures than the rest of the region.