Severe weather hits SA: Major routes to avoid
Severe weather hits South Africa – major routes to avoid as heavy snowfall, rain, icy conditions and strong winds create dangerous travelling conditions across several provinces on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.
Motorists across the country have been warned to reconsider non-essential journeys as the latest winter weather system affects major highways, mountain passes and regional roads.
The Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Western Cape are among the areas experiencing significant weather-related disruptions.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has urged motorists to postpone non-essential travel where possible, warning that rapidly changing weather could result in temporary road closures, delays, reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions.
The South African Weather Service has also warned of disruptive snowfall, very cold temperatures, rain and strong winds across parts of the country.
Severe weather South Africa: roads under pressure
The latest Severe weather South Africa conditions are creating particular challenges on routes crossing high-lying areas and mountain passes.
Snow and ice can significantly reduce traction, while heavy rainfall can result in slippery surfaces and localised flooding.
Strong winds can also make driving difficult, particularly for high-sided vehicles and motorists travelling exposed sections of road.
SANRAL has warned that motorists should take the conditions seriously and avoid unnecessary journeys until conditions improve.
In the Free State, snowfall has affected sections of the N1 between Edenburg and Springfontein. Although the route remains open according to the information supplied, motorists have been warned about reduced visibility, limited traction and icy patches.
The R34 between Welkom and Kroonstad has experienced rainfall and could be vulnerable to localised flooding if heavy rain continues.
Snow has also been reported on the N6 between Reddersburg and Smithfield, while icy conditions have affected the R702 between Dewetsdorp and Wepener.
SANRAL travel warnings for motorists
The latest SANRAL travel warnings are particularly important because conditions can change rapidly.
Motorists should not assume that a route that is open at one point will remain open throughout the day.
Drivers should check official road updates before leaving, particularly when travelling long distances between provinces.
SANRAL and provincial authorities are working with traffic officials, emergency services and road-management teams to monitor affected routes.
Where closures occur, motorists are urged to follow official diversions rather than attempting to find their own way around barricades.
Eastern Cape faces severe snowfall
The Eastern Cape has been among the hardest-hit provinces during the latest weather system.
Higher-lying areas have received significant snowfall, while persistent rainfall has left many roads wet and slippery.
CoGTA spokesperson Pheello Oliphant warned motorists that roads in affected areas were dangerous and hazardous.
Several mountain passes and routes were affected by snow and poor visibility.
The information supplied identifies the N6 around Penhoek Pass, the N9, the N2 around Kokstad, Harding and Brooksnek, the R58 around Barkly Pass, the R405 and R415, the Graaff-Reinet–Cradock route and Barkly East Pass among areas affected.
However, road conditions have been changing throughout Tuesday.
The latest Eastern Cape update indicates that snowfall had subsided in some areas, allowing mountain passes that had been closed during the previous day to reopen. Despite the reopening, roads remained wet and slippery, with thick fog and drizzle affecting Penhoek Pass and reducing visibility.
Motorists are therefore being urged to remain cautious even where roads have reopened.
Johannesburg to East London travel warning
Authorities have also urged motorists to reconsider travelling between Johannesburg and East London while hazardous conditions persist.
Emergency teams have reportedly already rescued motorists who attempted to travel through roads that had been declared unsafe.
Drivers are strongly warned against bypassing roadblocks or barricades.
A road closure is intended to protect motorists from potentially life-threatening conditions, and attempting to drive through a closed route can put both drivers and emergency personnel at risk.
Major road closures and disruptions
The list of major road closures and affected routes stretches across several provinces.
In KwaZulu-Natal, motorists have faced difficult conditions on the N3 between Estcourt and Harrismith, including Van Reenen Pass.
The N11 between Ladysmith and Newcastle over Amajuba Pass, the R617 between Kokstad and Underberg and the R74 over Oliviershoek Pass have also been affected.
The R74 between Greytown and Colenso near Santa Maria and the R103 around the Tugela Toll Plaza area are also among routes requiring caution.
Recent reporting from KwaZulu-Natal highlighted a series of crashes linked to rain and snow, with 11 people injured in seven crashes across northern parts of the province.
KwaZulu-Natal routes to watch
The N3 remains particularly important because it is one of the country’s major freight and passenger routes.
Motorists travelling between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State should pay close attention to conditions around Van Reenen Pass.
The N11’s Amajuba Pass has also been closely monitored. The latest update indicated that the pass was open in both directions, although motorists were still being advised to drive carefully because of wet conditions.
Drivers should therefore verify the latest status of each route immediately before departure.
Snowfall and icy roads create dangerous conditions
The combination of snowfall and icy roads is especially dangerous for motorists who are not accustomed to winter driving.
South Africa does not regularly experience widespread snow and ice on major roads, meaning many drivers have limited experience handling these conditions.
Motorists should reduce their speed and avoid sudden braking, acceleration or steering.
A safe following distance is particularly important because stopping distances increase substantially on slippery surfaces.
Drivers should also keep their headlights switched on in conditions involving snow, rain, fog or poor visibility.
Driving safely in snow and rain
Motorists caught in severe weather should:
- Reduce speed significantly.
- Increase the following distance.
- Keep headlights switched on.
- Avoid sudden braking and steering.
- Watch for black ice and icy patches.
- Follow instructions from traffic officials.
- Never drive around a roadblock.
- Check road conditions before travelling.
- Avoid unnecessary journeys during the worst conditions.
Drivers should also ensure their tyres, brakes, windscreen wipers and lights are in good working condition before travelling.
Mpumalanga and Western Cape affected
The severe weather is not limited to the eastern parts of the country.
In Mpumalanga, the R37 over Long Tom Pass has been identified as an affected route.
Long Tom Pass is a high-lying route where cold conditions, fog, rain and snow can make driving particularly challenging.
In the Western Cape, motorists have been warned about conditions around Franschhoek Pass, Swartberg Pass and Montagu Pass.
The latest weather system is also expected to bring strong winds to parts of the Western Cape, adding another hazard for road users.
Winter weather driving conditions remain dangerous
The current winter weather driving conditions require motorists to exercise patience and caution.
Even where roads remain technically open, snow, rain, fog and ice can make travelling considerably more dangerous.
Motorists should avoid treating an open road as a guarantee that conditions are safe.
Authorities may change the status of roads depending on snowfall, flooding, visibility and the presence of stranded vehicles.
The best option for motorists who do not need to travel is to postpone their journey until conditions improve.
What motorists should do before travelling
Before starting a long-distance journey, drivers should check the latest road and weather information.
Motorists should also tell someone about their planned route, ensure their phones are charged and carry emergency supplies where appropriate.
Those travelling through mountainous areas should be particularly cautious because weather conditions can change quickly.
Drivers should also avoid stopping in dangerous locations such as narrow shoulders, bends or areas with poor visibility.
If a route has been officially closed, motorists should wait for authorities to reopen it rather than attempting to bypass the closure.
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Severe weather expected to continue
South Africans are being warned to prepare for another difficult winter weather period as snow, rain, strong winds and bitterly cold temperatures affect large parts of the country.
The latest forecasts indicate that the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State and Gauteng are among the areas facing significant cold and wet conditions.
An Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snowfall has also been issued for parts of the Eastern Cape, highlighting the potential for significant disruption.
While snowfall has eased in some areas and some previously closed roads have reopened, motorists should not become complacent.
The situation remains changeable, and road conditions can deteriorate quickly.
For anyone planning to travel on Tuesday, the message from authorities is clear: check the latest updates, avoid unnecessary journeys and never attempt to drive through a closed or barricaded route.
The combination of Severe weather South Africa, major road closures, snowfall, rain, ice and strong winds means motorists should put safety ahead of convenience until authorities confirm that affected roads are safe.
References
- BusinessTech – Severe weather hits South Africa: major routes to avoid
BusinessTech – Severe weather hits South Africa: major routes to avoid - IOL – Severe weather disrupts travel across South Africa
IOL – Severe weather disrupts travel across South Africa - IOL – Heavy snow, flooding rain and damaging winds
IOL – Today’s weather: heavy snow, flooding rain and damaging winds - News24 – Bitter cold front grips South Africa
News24 – Bitter cold front grips SA
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