Snow Watch 2014

Hi guys

We want to go and hike in the Drakensburg during the long weekend of the 16th June. Do you think there will be any snowfall? Thats why we are going...
Were quite experienced and know the route we are going to hike, so don't worry .

Hi Gerrit

Great way to spent a long weekend that is for sure.

It is not really possible to predict so far ahead for snowfall.

It can be mentioned that the kind of snowfall that leaves substantial covering and lasts for days or weeks usually occur during July, not June. Off course there are many years that it does not happen at all. We have also seen substantial snow cover late April like in 2007. As you can see, tough to predict.

Every year is different, but from an average incidence point of view June usually receives snowfalls, but typically light dusting that only stays on surface at very high altitudes (think Champagne Castle, Injasuthi, Mafadi and the likes), and perhaps some lower southern facing slopes.

I for one am hoping for a good snowfall this coming week...

If you want to up your odds of decent snow you would head to Garden Castle in the Southern Berg. The southern end of the reserve has some very high peaks (Walker and Mashai are both over 3300, Tsepeng and the 2 Leqooas in Lesotho are over 3400m) - also the snow gets dropped there first as the cold front moves over KZN.

Not even the weather forecast the day before is always that accurate with snow predictions. If a big cold front is coming it will usually bring something with it - but it won't always be snow and it won't always remain for very long. You also probably wouldn't want to be on the top when the snow is falling. I have been in falling snow on 6 occasions in the Berg (possibly more, those are just the ones that come to mind), and none felt particularly dangerous - but when falling snow and wind meet up, it can get really cold up there. So if there is a cold front nearby, make sure you are ready!

I agree... there is a high correlation of snow events with cold fronts moving up from Cape Town. If their weather goes pear shaped we can often expect the white stuff. That said, I find mountain-forecast.com to be pretty accurate on a 6 day horizon

ok.. I'm horny! This is amazing!!!

This also means plenty of snow will be around when we get there on the 13th. Hope it snows then too!