Heavy snowfalls lead to closure of several Eastern Cape mountain passes

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Very cold and wet conditions set in over much of the Eastern Cape overnight, and these are expected to continue this weekend.

The SA Weather Service in Port Elizabeth says the most significant impact of the cold front system was that the freezing levels were reduced significantly.

Spokesperson, Garth Sampson said this reduction in the height of the freezing level would lead to significant snowfalls.

He said these were expected over the Sneeuberg, Winterberg, Baviaankloofberg, Kougaberg, Groot Winterhoekberg, Bamboesberg, Stormsberg and the greater Drakensberg mountain ranges and surrounding areas.

Eastern Cape Emergency Rescue Services spokesperson, Colonel Derrick Brandford says several mountain passes in the province are already closed due to snowfalls...

"Penhoek pass between Aliwal North and Queenstown (N6). The Wapadsberg pass between Middelburg and Graaff Reinet (R61). The Nico Malan pass between Seymour and Fort Beaufort(R67) and Ecca pass between Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort (R67) the Barkley Pass between Barkley East and Elliot. Motorists are cautioned to be careful, if you do not have to travel then rather don't as you might get stuck on a pass waiting for snow to be cleared" he said