Capetonians braved a miserable, chilly night on Saturday as manic winds and heavy rain battered the region. However, it’s the substantial snowfall that’s stolen all the headlines.
As forecast earlier in the week, light flurries landed all across the province. It wasn’t just the remote peaks that enjoyed the freeze, however. Table Mountain – the jewel in Cape Town’s crown – enjoyed a dusting of the white stuff, too.
Snowfall on Table Mountain
— eNCAWeather (@eNCAWeather) August 26, 2018
Citizens on the outskirts of Cape Town were even treated to a hailstorm early on Sunday morning…
We had a #hail storm in #Somerset West just now ???? Brian Doyle @maroelamedia @AfricaWeather_ @JoelGuy_ pic.twitter.com/EDETxwzAo6
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) August 26, 2018
Where did the most snow fall?
The lion’s share of the snow fell outside of the Mother City municipality, however. There were incredible scenes at the Aquila Private Game Reserve, located near De Doorns. This was the picture on Sunday morning and, let’s be honest, it looks like the opening scene of a Scandinavian murder-mystery series…
woke up to it snowing at aquila safari lodge ❄️ ⛄️ pic.twitter.com/WcwnalQhXw
— andy (@mrkoodge) August 26, 2018
Tell you what, that pool at Aquila doesn’t look as inviting as it used to, either…
The most reliable snowfall cold spot in the Western Cape, Matroosberg, also received a few centimetres overnight. In fact, there were reports that the flurries had continued into Sunday morning. Koo Valley got caught up in the chill as well.
Snow at Matroosberg (WC) this morning. pic.twitter.com/v3hsvpbkO0
— Snow Report SA (@SnowReportSA) August 26, 2018
Snow currently falling in the Koo Valley (WC). pic.twitter.com/nP63w6aaQk
— Snow Report SA (@SnowReportSA) August 26, 2018
Of course, with every snow and rain report, our attention turns to how the dams of Cape Town will fare. This bumper cold front brought a lot of wet weather with it, and it seems Villiersdorp – where Theewaterskloof dam is based – also received a decent amount of snowfall…
Stunning scenes from Ceres
However, the award for “best impression of a winter wonderland” goes to Ceres. Sorry Table Mountain, you’ve been upstaged! The region, little over two hours away from Cape Town, was transformed by an arctic blast:
Thick layer of #snow in the Koue Bokkeveld near #Ceres this morning.????Heini Rautenbach. @SnowReportSA @TheCitizen_News @SAWeatherServic @eNCA @_ArriveAlive @Weather4Africa @SABreakingNews pic.twitter.com/PucBm9u9ir
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) August 26, 2018
Winter wonderland of #snow in #Ceres Western Cape ???? Elmien du Toit @maroelamedia @eNCA @Weather4Africa @YouMagazine pic.twitter.com/ynUJl3HT5j
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) August 26, 2018
