Snow Watch 2015
16 Jan 2015 09:56 - 03 Nov 2015 07:49 #62615
by JonWells
Snow Watch 2015 was created by JonWells
This is the official thread for Snow Watch 2015. Feel free to post pictures, information, questions and reports about the snow conditions in the Drakensberg for 2015. The idea is to keep track of the snowfalls, pool information about where the snow is for those that want to go see it, and simply to have a place to express the joy and experiences you may have had if you have witnessed the grandeur of the Dragon clothed in white.
Historical Snow Watch threads:
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015 Snowfalls
1. 2 Feb - Unseasonal cold front drops light snow on the peaks of the far Southern KZN Berg, as well as parts of the Eastern Cape high ground near Rhodes. Details
2. 5 April - Light snowfall at Tiffindell Ski Resort in the Eastern Cape. Details
3. 8 April - Single report from Antbear Lodge of there being very light snow visible on the peaks.
4. 19 April - Light snowfall at Afriski, Amphitheatre as well as the Black Mountains Details
5. 22 April - VE member o32jenGP, who was on the escarpment at the time, reported there being a light dusting of snow on Mafadi in the early morning.
6. 10 May - Light snow confirmed at Sani Pass, Peaks above Drakensberg Gardens Hotel, and Letseng Diamond Mine in Lesotho. Details
7. 4 June - Snow reported in the following areas: Afriski, Mountains surrounding Maliba Lodge, Sani Pass, Mountains surrounding Elliot, and the Tiffindell region. Details
8. 11 June - Light but widespread snowfall across most of the escarpment, down to 2400m in the Southern Berg. Details
9. 16 June - Light snow in the Southern Berg down to 1700m at Bushmans Nek. Eastern Cape mountains had heavier snowfalls. Afriski also had a light snowfall. Details
10. 29 June - Light snowfall across the entire escarpment, down to 2500m in places. Northern berg was slightly heavier. Details
11. 13 July - Reports of snow at Tiffendell, Bushman's Nek escarpment, Black Mountains, Letseng Diamond Mine, and Afriski. Details
12. 17 July - Good snow falls in the far northern Drakensberg escarpment, central Lesotho, and in many parts of the Eastern Cape high ground. There was also light snowfall above 2500m in the Southern KZN Drakensberg. Details
13. 23 July - Satellite image shows fresh snow on the 3200m+ ground surrounding Mafadi. Fresh snow also spotted on Afriski webcam 1pm. Snow also reported at Tiffindell. Details
14. 24-25 July - Large weather system drops widespread snow across the entire range, as well as high lying regions in the KZN Midlands/Eastern Cape. Details
15. 3 September - Light snow falls across most of the range, but limited to the higher elevations. Details
16. 18-19 September - Very light falls at Sani Pass / Eastern Cape Peaks
17. 22 September - Reports of light dustings at Letseng, Afriski, and on the high peaks of the Southern Berg. Details
18. 3 November - Late cold front brings light snowfalls to highground of the Eastern Cape as well as Southern and Central KZN Drakensberg. Snow fell as low as 2000m. Details
Historical Snow Watch threads:
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015 Snowfalls
1. 2 Feb - Unseasonal cold front drops light snow on the peaks of the far Southern KZN Berg, as well as parts of the Eastern Cape high ground near Rhodes. Details
2. 5 April - Light snowfall at Tiffindell Ski Resort in the Eastern Cape. Details
3. 8 April - Single report from Antbear Lodge of there being very light snow visible on the peaks.
4. 19 April - Light snowfall at Afriski, Amphitheatre as well as the Black Mountains Details
5. 22 April - VE member o32jenGP, who was on the escarpment at the time, reported there being a light dusting of snow on Mafadi in the early morning.
6. 10 May - Light snow confirmed at Sani Pass, Peaks above Drakensberg Gardens Hotel, and Letseng Diamond Mine in Lesotho. Details
7. 4 June - Snow reported in the following areas: Afriski, Mountains surrounding Maliba Lodge, Sani Pass, Mountains surrounding Elliot, and the Tiffindell region. Details
8. 11 June - Light but widespread snowfall across most of the escarpment, down to 2400m in the Southern Berg. Details
9. 16 June - Light snow in the Southern Berg down to 1700m at Bushmans Nek. Eastern Cape mountains had heavier snowfalls. Afriski also had a light snowfall. Details
10. 29 June - Light snowfall across the entire escarpment, down to 2500m in places. Northern berg was slightly heavier. Details
11. 13 July - Reports of snow at Tiffendell, Bushman's Nek escarpment, Black Mountains, Letseng Diamond Mine, and Afriski. Details
12. 17 July - Good snow falls in the far northern Drakensberg escarpment, central Lesotho, and in many parts of the Eastern Cape high ground. There was also light snowfall above 2500m in the Southern KZN Drakensberg. Details
13. 23 July - Satellite image shows fresh snow on the 3200m+ ground surrounding Mafadi. Fresh snow also spotted on Afriski webcam 1pm. Snow also reported at Tiffindell. Details
14. 24-25 July - Large weather system drops widespread snow across the entire range, as well as high lying regions in the KZN Midlands/Eastern Cape. Details
15. 3 September - Light snow falls across most of the range, but limited to the higher elevations. Details
16. 18-19 September - Very light falls at Sani Pass / Eastern Cape Peaks
17. 22 September - Reports of light dustings at Letseng, Afriski, and on the high peaks of the Southern Berg. Details
18. 3 November - Late cold front brings light snowfalls to highground of the Eastern Cape as well as Southern and Central KZN Drakensberg. Snow fell as low as 2000m. Details
Last edit: 03 Nov 2015 07:49 by JonWells.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Serious tribe, vasbyt
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16 Jan 2015 12:46 #62618
by intrepid
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Replied by intrepid on topic Snow Watch 2015
A big thank you to JonWells for doing a great job of running the Snow Watch feature on this site!
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Serious tribe, Viking
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02 Feb 2015 08:05 - 02 Feb 2015 08:09 #62756
by diverian
Replied by diverian on topic Snow Watch 2015
Looks like the first snowfall for 2015 in February! Snow Report SA pic on Facebook of snow at Bushmans Nek.Thought it felt a bit chilly in Durbs last night.
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Last edit: 02 Feb 2015 08:09 by diverian.
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02 Feb 2015 08:43 #62757
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2015
Thanks Diverian, came here to post that! I was hoping for some further confirmations from other sources but haven't come across anything else yet.
Underberg is currently 9°C so it is certainly likely to be close to or below freezing on the escarpment.
So for the time being it appears the first snow has appeared a full 2.5 months earlier than average this year!
Underberg is currently 9°C so it is certainly likely to be close to or below freezing on the escarpment.
So for the time being it appears the first snow has appeared a full 2.5 months earlier than average this year!
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02 Feb 2015 09:57 #62759
by elandman
Replied by elandman on topic Snow Watch 2015
Yeah so early. Hope it bodes well for a cold wet winter this year!
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02 Feb 2015 13:37 #62760
by DeonS
Replied by DeonS on topic Snow Watch 2015
Yes confirmed on Snow Report as well
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02 Feb 2015 14:29 #62761
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2015
A number of people on Snow Report confirmed seeing light snow on the high peaks above Bushman's Nek and Garden Castle. There was also a report of a light dusting at Tenahead Lodge, near Rhodes in the Eastern Cape (2500m asl)
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07 Apr 2015 08:33 #63311
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2015
Snow Report SA shared this image from the Tiffindell webcam on Sunday showing that some light snow had fallen.
There was also a report of sightings of snow on the Southern KZN Drakensberg peaks, although there were no other reports to confirm this. Satellite images from yesterday did not show any visible snow anywhere.
There was also a report of sightings of snow on the Southern KZN Drakensberg peaks, although there were no other reports to confirm this. Satellite images from yesterday did not show any visible snow anywhere.
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08 Apr 2015 08:33 - 08 Apr 2015 12:58 #63331
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2015
Smurfatefrog just alerted me that Antbear Lodge has posted this update on their Facebook page this morning:
"Light snow has fallen on the high peaks of the KZN Drakensberg overnight."
www.facebook.com/antbearlodge?fref=ts
Edit: No snow is visible on the first available satellite image
"Light snow has fallen on the high peaks of the KZN Drakensberg overnight."
www.facebook.com/antbearlodge?fref=ts
Edit: No snow is visible on the first available satellite image
Last edit: 08 Apr 2015 12:58 by JonWells.
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15 Apr 2015 09:24 - 15 Apr 2015 10:34 #63387
by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2015
A cold front is busy making its way across South Africa at the moment. Although it will turn very cold in places, the lack of moisture means for the next day or so, no snow is currently forecast for the Drakensberg. Thabana Ntlenyana is currently forecast to drop as low as -8°C late Thursday/early Friday! It appears some moisture will arrive on Sunday and may drop 2-3cm of snow on some of the 3300m+ peaks. Conditions for this light snowfall do look quite marginal for the time being.
Edit- I see YR.NO is forecasting some light snow for parts of the escarpment Thursday/Friday
Edit- I see YR.NO is forecasting some light snow for parts of the escarpment Thursday/Friday
Last edit: 15 Apr 2015 10:34 by JonWells.
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