The N3 Toll route is currently clear of snow – but the extremely cold weather – accompanied by rain and mist – means that drivers must be cautious on the highway.
N3 Toll Concession spokesperson Thania Dhoogra says current weather warnings remain in place for other parts of KwaZulu-Natal – including the Underberg, Giant’s Castle, and Kokstad regions.
17h17 14/08 #N3Weather Extremely cold weather, rain, mist and strong winds are currently being experienced along parts of #N3TollRoute. Visibility poor in some areas. Please proceed with caution. Travel safely pic.twitter.com/dYXOVbXepN
— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) August 14, 2021
The icy weather has also gripped the Free State, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape – among others. Temperatures should start recovering early next week.
Dhoogra has also appealed to social media users to stop spreading unverified and false information.
“Road users are advised to please proceed with caution, reduce speed, increase following distance and always keep your headlights switched on. Weather conditions and road conditions may change rapidly and motorists should always remain alert while travelling. Please prepare and plan ahead for any travels. Remember that it is critically important that information is obtained from official news sources please do not incite panic by sharing fake news.”
More showers
More showers are expected in the Free State on Saturday and Sunday with the weather expected to clear by next week. According to the Bloemfontein weather office, cold weather and rainfall are not unusual at this time of year.
Senior Weather Forecaster, Quinton Jacobs says, “This is going to continue into tomorrow and things should get back to normal from Monday. It’s the end of winter so getting one or two cold systems in August and September is not unheard of. And not chances of snow anymore that is pretty much gone.”
High alert
Meanwhile, Johannesburg Emergency services have warned residents to be cautious when trying to keep warm.
Johannesburg Emergency services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi says they are on high alert.
“We just want to encourage all our residents across the city to look after these heating devices, things like paraffin stoves, candles the heaters, and the mbawulas (coal), not to leave them unattended. To be able to avoid the fires which might occur during the cold weather. We will remain on high alert in all seven regions of the city. Especially our vulnerable communities, our informal settlements,” says Molaudzi. -Additional reporting by Ishmael Modiba and Pearl Magubane
SA weather update in the video below:
