The Bare Traveller

Does it snow in South Africa – All you need to know

The majority of international tourists picture South Africa as a nation that enjoys year-round sunlight. South Africa’s weather, which spans a total area of nearly 480k square miles, cannot be summarised that simply. 

Arid deserts, lush tropical coasts, temperate woods, and snow-capped mountains all exist in this country. Nearly any extreme weather condition may be experienced when travelling though South Africa, depending on when and where you go.

The weather in South Africa is difficult to generalise about, but there are a few rules that hold true everywhere.

Forest Guard in Kwazulu-natal, South Africa

The seasons of South Africa, which are summer, autumn, winter and spring, are reversed from those in the northern hemisphere, unlike those in the equatorial nations of Africa, where the year is split into wet and dry seasons. 

Winter arrives from June to August, summer lasts from December to February, fall lasts from March to May, and spring blossoms in many regions between September and October. 

Although the Western Cape (including Cape Town) is an exception. The rainy season here typically falls during the summer months in most of the country.

Summer highs in regions of South Africa exceed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), with averages closer to 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), while moderate winter highs hover around 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit). 

Of course, these averages differ significantly by area. Coastal temperatures are often more stable throughout the year, but the dry and mountainous interior areas have the highest temperature changes. 

It is a good idea to pack for all circumstances no matter when or where you are visiting in South Africa. Temperatures in the Kalahari Desert can fall below zero at night.

Does it snow in South Africa?

Beaches and sunshine are always a nice holiday option, but for those seeking something different, snow resorts are a terrific idea. What many people are unaware of is the fact that South Africa is also a fantastic option in the winter Season.  

Nelson Mandela Museum, South Africa

Wintertime weather in South Africa is erratic because of global warming. Since it is cooler now, rain is falling across South Africa rather than only on the west coast during the winter.

A ski trip is a fantastic opportunity to have fun and workout at the same time. It feels more like a vacation than a workout because of the lovely scenery to post on Instagram or other social media platform and the wonderful people, but guilt-free.

How often does it snow in South Africa?

Snow is unfamiliar to many South Africans because they don’t see it very frequently. When it snows hard, several South Africans get in their automobiles and drive to regions where the fluffy white stuff may be seen.

Where does it snow in South Africa?

For those eager to witness real snow, the following regions have recently received considerable snowfall:

Swartberg, Kwazulu-Natal

Swartberg is a small village in south-west KwaZulu-Natal, on the border with the Eastern Cape, located in the shadow of Swartberg Mountain.

Mountain in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

This area has some of the most beautiful mountain formations in the country, as well as the most snow at anytime time of year.

Underberg, Kwazulu-Natal

River in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Underberg is the final village in the southern Drakensburg and is located just beneath the spectacular mountains of the region. 

Snow is widespread in this location due to the high altitude and adverse weather conditions.

Tiffendell, Southern Drakensburg

Large quantities of snow have been reported at the Tiffendell ski resort in the Drakensberg Mountains. From June through August, the resort is available for skiing and snowboarding activities.

Sutherland, Northern Cape

Sutherland, also regarded as South Africa’s coldest city, is located 1,5 KM above sea level. This area has had some amazing snowfall in recent years. There is no low-level snow in town, however snow may be observed on the nearby mountains.

Final Thoughts

This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are several additional locations around the nation where snow is also present. 

If you keep up with the news, especially on South Africa Weather website, you’ll see that there has also been a lot of snowfall in other parts of the nation.

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