Hello from a freezing South Africa
 

When we get to about 20 Celsius, it starts getting cold, so, when we get to 9 Celsius (maximum) in Johannesburg, with snow in Sandton, a large chunk of the southern Cape (around George) drifting in the ocean because of the rain - 230 mm in 24 hours, a tornado in Dullstroom, you know (as the weather man says) "we have extreme weather."

"They" say it will clear up towards the weekend. Anybody who wants to swop...?

(Think) "Maybe a nice cup of three bean soup, some hot coffee (or Milo), or warm "mosbolletjies" ("must buns") ..."

Just thought to share this with you.

Wow! I know people in the Cape expect unpredictable weather, but the folks in Jo'burg must be stunned! Snow! In Sandton!! And you never get tornados there! Whew!

Snow in Sandton? For real?

Boelie, thanks for the info. How would the weather be at Phinda and Sabi sands area Mid-August? COLD???

Thanks
Hari

Well, there was a huge debate yesterday whether it was sleet or snow, but as we, here in the northern parts of the country, do not know either sleet or snow or the difference between the two, it was snow for us.

And according to www.news24.com, it's going to stay like that.

The Sabi Sands and Phinda areas never(?) really become cold in the cold sense of the word, even mid winter. I am not the expert though and other Fodorites may know better.

Boelie,

Thanks for the info...looks like a cold wave for a few days.

Hari

You must understand that it is such a rarity for snow in Joburg, that a few flakes of sleet amongst or after a bit of a drizzle, qualifies! For the very rare times that "real snow" it has actually covered the ground white (albeit with no real depth), then that becomes talked about for (literally) decades.

Yesterday was the former. Although when I drove through Sandton in the early afternoon I saw no evidence. I think the exciting flakes were sometime during the morning! :-)

From reading further reports (for both Sandton and Braamfontein), it seems very likely that it did indeed snow (rather than sleet) here yesterday. But don't think white carpets. That has happened in Jo'burg, but the last time was many years ago.

But relatively speaking, bad weather in many parts of the country. Especially severe floods in Port Elizabeth amongst other places.

Hope it recovers soon for all those going to the Cape Town area and the garden route....

I got a little wet in Port Elizabeth yesterday !!

http://www.mype.co.za/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=31

We had a years rain in a day.

Good thing is sun will soon start to shine again and the start of spring is 27 days away

Hello,

Believe it or not, I have been reading the reports of snow (or sleet) in Joburg with enby...England has been suffering through an interminable heat wave coupled with very high humidity. Remember, this is a country which has yet to acknowledge the existence of air-conditioniing (even the hospital is not air conditioned!). Bring on the snow!

Cheers,
Julian