Snowfall covered Johannesburg and other elevated regions of South Africa on Monday, prompting weather services to issue alerts about possible road closures and extremely cold temperatures.
As the cold front that arrived in the country late last week transformed into a weather phenomenon known as a “cutoff low,” residents of the business hub woke up to the sight of rooftops and gardens lightly adorned with snowfalls.
In a Johannesburg kindergarten, children filled with excitement joyfully crafted snowballs and eagerly tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues, with some experiencing the sight of snow for the very first time.
Situated at an elevation exceeding 1,700 meters (5,600 feet), Johannesburg finds itself amidst the peak of the winter season in the southern hemisphere.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning highlighting the perilous conditions brought by icy temperatures, particularly emphasizing the vulnerability of homeless in a country where poverty continues to prevail.
Anticipated rough seas and powerful winds were set to create dangerous circumstances for small vessels along South Africa’s eastern coast.