Unusual snowfall in southern Africa

On 21 September 2024, unusually heavy snowfall affected parts of southern Africa, with some areas in Lesotho and South Africa receiving up to two metres of snow.

Authorities in South Africa issued warnings about the snowfall and potential for black ice, and three border posts with Lesotho have been closed due to dangerous conditions. The snow led to disruptions on some roads, including the highway between Johannesburg and Durban, and emergency responders worked tirelessly to rescue motorists stranded in their vehicles.

In this false-colour Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image acquired on 22 September 2024, the blue-coloured areas indicate snow in Lesotho and South Africa, while the white-coloured areas correspond to cloud cover.

The Copernicus Sentinel satellites deliver free and open data which is used to monitor and map snow cover globally, providing insights which help keep communities around the world safe and more informed.

Source:

Copernicus. (2024, September 24). Unusual snowfall in southern Africa. Copernicus Image of the Day.