WATCH: Attention snow chasers – Here’s where to see snow in SA

Snow chasers do we have your attention? Here is where snow has been confirmed on Wednesday – so grab the family and go hunt for SNOW.

ATTENTION – SNOW CHASERS SNOW SPOTTED HERE – WATCH

This comes after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a level 2 warning for disruptive SNOWFALL. The snowfall is expected to continue until 15 Wednesday evening late. 

“The accumulation of snow is expected to result in isolated loss of vulnerable livestock and some passes can be closed for a short period due to the accumulation of snow. Snowmelt may also result in slippery driving conditions.”

SAWS 

WATCH AS THE FIRST SNOWFALL MADE LANDFALL:

THE FOLLOWING AREAS WILL BE AFFECTED:

Here are the areas that will be affected: 

• Senqu 
• Barkly East
• Matatiele
• Emalahleni 
• Lady Frere
• Walter Sisulu – Burgersdorp
• Burgersdorp
• Inxuba Yethemba
• Cradock
• Dr Beyers Naude – Graaff-Reinet
• Graaff – Reinet
• Enoch Magijima – Tarkastad 
• Tarkastad
• Umzimvubu
• Mount Ayliff
• Raymond Mhlaba – Fort Beaufort
• Raymond Mhlaba – Adelaide
• Adelaide

The SAWS urged small stock farmers to shelter animals. 

“Dress warmly and avoid high mountain passes if possible. Make contact with your closest disaster manager or community leader and keep listening to the Radio for updates.” 

SAWS 

ALSO READ: Weather Warning: MORE disruptive rain and strong winds predicted

KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND TO STAY SAFE

The SAWS also warned that snowmelt may result in slippery driving conditions.

The following are some safety guidelines for driving in the snow:

• Start Gently and Slowly. When first starting, get the feel of the road. Don’t hurry.
• Adjust Turning and Braking to Conditions. Make turns as gentle as possible. Don’t brake any harder than necessary.
• Adjust Speed to Conditions. Don’t pass slower vehicles unless necessary. Go slow and watch far enough ahead to keep a steady speed. Avoid having to slow down and speed up. Take curves at slower speeds and don’t brake while in curves. Be aware that as the temperature rises to the point where ice begins to melt, the road becomes even more slippery. Slow down more.
• Adjust Space to Conditions. Don’t drive alongside other vehicles. Keep a longer following distance. When you see a traffic jam ahead, slow down or stop to wait for it to clear. Try hard to anticipate stops early and slow down gradually.
• Be careful of Wet Brakes. When driving in heavy rain or deep standing water, your brakes will get wet. Water in the brakes can cause the brakes to be weak, to apply unevenly, or to grab. This can cause a lack of braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side or the other, and jackknife if you pull a trailer.
• Avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water if possible.If not, you should:
  • Slow down.
  • Place transmission in a low gear.
  • Gently put on the brakes. This presses linings against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, silt, sand, and water from getting in.
  • Increase engine rpm and cross the water while keeping light pressure on the brakes.
  • When out of the water, maintain light pressure on the brakes for a short distance to heat them up and dry them out. >
  • Make a test stop when safe to do so. Check behind to make sure no one is following, then apply the brakes to be sure they work right. If not, dry out further as described above. (CAUTION: Do not apply too much brake pressure and accelerator at the same time or you can overheat brake drums and linings.)

ALSO READ: Weather warning for veld fires issued for parts of SA