The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued urgent warnings as a disruptive snowstorm is set to impact the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces on Monday.
A yellow level 4 warning and a new orange level 5 warning have been announced, indicating severe weather conditions are imminent.
The forecast predicts significant snowfall across several regions of Western Cape, including the Cape Winelands, Cederberg, Stellenbosch, Paarl, and the mountain districts of the Central and Little Karoo.
In the Northern Cape, the southern high ground of the Namakwa District will also experience snowfall.
Snow accumulation is expected to reach up to 20 centimetres in some parts of the two provinces.
SAWS has cautioned that the impending snowstorm is likely to result in the closure of key mountain passes due to the anticipated accumulation of heavy snow.
It also advised drivers to exercise extreme caution on all highways as icy conditions are expected to lead to traffic disruptions and accidents.
The weather agency warned that the storm could have serious consequences, including the loss of vulnerable livestock and crops.
It also warned of the risk of hypothermia among individuals exposed to the harsh cold conditions.
The expected snowstorm follows a recent weather event that affected parts of the country two weeks ago, which also brought disruptive snowfall.
That storm caused significant challenges, including road closures and disruptions to local services as communities struggled to cope with the heavy snow.
JN/APA