Home
Weather London
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
Career
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    South Africa rarity: Snow for the first time in 11 years

15:00
13 July 2023

South Africa rarity
Snow for the first time in 11 years

Snow in Johannesburg for the first time in over a decade.
The city and its surroundings blanketed in snow.
Snow is a rarity in South Africa away from high altitudes, even in winter.
Children enjoying the snow in Johannesburg.
There was even enough for a snowman!
1/5
Snow in Johannesburg for the first time in over a decade. - © dpa

In South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg, snow has fallen for the first time in 11 years.

It might sound strange given it is our summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but it is indeed winter in South Africa, in the Southern Hemisphere.

However, for the first time in 11 years it has snowed in Johannesburg, capital of the Gauteng province. According to the South African Meteorological Service, the last time it snowed here was on August 7th 2012.

Snow also fell in the provinces of Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. Apart from delays in rush-hour traffic, there were no major disruptions.

Many people were rather happy about the rare occasion of snow, as pictures and videos depict. Even despite the bitterly low temperatures.

In the outskirts of Johannesburg -2°C was recorded, the lowest temperature of winter so far for them. At higher altitudes it was even colder; at Frankfort Aero for example, around 1500 m above sea level, temperatures plummeted to -11.4°C.

Though no records have been broken, there has been widespread frosts in the highland areas and it will continue to remain cold in the coming days.

More on the topic
Split image showing a tranquil reservoir at sunset with rolling hills on the left, and a dramatic cloud illuminated by crepuscular sun rays above a tree-lined horizon on the right.
Sunday, 31 May 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Cooler views after the week's heat
On the left is the temperature radar, showing high temperatures across Western Europe. On the right is the weather radar, showing a high-pressure system.
Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Summer weather in spring

Heatwave sets new records in Europe too
v
Thursday, 28 May 2026

Gusts exceeding 124 mph

Typhoon risk in the Western Pacific
All weather news
This might also interest you
Split image showing coastal sunset with layered lenticular clouds over rooftops and palm trees on the left, and a green valley with river and hills under soft daylight on the right.
Sunday, 19 April 2026

Your weather - Your shots

Seasonal warmth between spring thunder
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday, 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
Weather graphic showing rain and wind fields over the Canary Islands and a central warning symbol.
Friday, 12 December 2025

Storm and rain

Turbulent weather in the Canary Islands
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwittertikToklinkList