Snow Watch 2018

10 Jan 2018 20:38 - 12 Dec 2018 07:22 #72618 by intrepid
Snow Watch 2018 was created by intrepid
This is the official thread for Snow Watch 2018. Feel free to post pictures, information, questions and reports about the snow conditions in the Drakensberg for 2018. 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. This also serves as a historical reference for years to come.

Historical Snow Watch threads:
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

2018 Snowfalls:

1. 23 March - Confirmation of a dusting on the high peaks near Sani Pass, as well as on the high mountain road passes of North Eastern Lesotho.
2. 30 April - Very light snowfalls at Black Mountains and near Afriski.
3. 3 May - Light snowfall reported near Afriski, and at Black Mountains
4. 12 May - Light falls over most of the escarpment as well as the high lying regions of Central and Western Lesotho
5. 14 May - Another round of light snowfall for much of the escarpment
6. 29 May - Light falls reported at Black Mountains and Afriski
7. 9 July- Light dusting on the peaks of the far Northern Berg, visible from Witsieshoek
8. 13-15 July - Good falls in the Afriski region, with lighter snow falling across most of the escarpment to the south.  Light snow fell as low as 2000m south of Giant's Castle.
9.  9-10 August -  Good snowfall over the entire Drakensberg, with falls reported as low as 1500m in the South.  Over half a metre was reported at Tiffindell, and around 25cm at Sani Pass.
10. 17-18 August - Another round of light snow fall across the the whole range.  Some flurries were reported in the KZN midlands, and some snow did settle in Harrismith / Van Reenen's Pass.
11. 8-9 September - Snow across most of the escarpment, with light snow into parts of the midlands
12. 3-4 October - Widespread snow fall across the entire escarpment and Central Lesotho.  Snowline extended as low as 2000m in the Southern Berg.
13. 13-14 October - Light to moderate snow across the escarpment above 2700m on 13 October with another dusting at Afriski on 14 October
14. 7 November - Light snowfall reported at Afriski,  Letseng, Oxbow Lodge, as well as on Cathkin Peak
15. 10 December - Snow reported on the high peaks at Black Mountains, and in the Giant's Castle region.

Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
Last edit: 12 Dec 2018 07:22 by JonWells.
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15 Mar 2018 08:03 #72981 by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2018
So as it stands, there is a chance of some light snow falling on the high peaks above 3200m tomorrow night in the central part of the range:

Here is the latest snow accumulation map from snow-forecast.com:

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22 Mar 2018 07:46 #73027 by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2018
With heavy rain and cooler temperatures forecast over the Drakensberg for the next 2 days, there is once again a chance for some of the highest peaks to receive some snowfall.

Thabana Ntlenyana could potentially receive some heavy falls (30+cm possible) although any slight increase in the forecast temperature could change this to rain.
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23 Mar 2018 15:42 #73047 by Sanet1
Replied by Sanet1 on topic Snow Watch 2018
I just love hiking in the berg during winter. Sooooo hoping for decent snowfall this year :-)

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02 May 2018 09:34 - 02 May 2018 09:37 #73345 by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2018

On Monday morning while we were packing up our camp above Grays Pass we had ice pellets coming down, along with the odd snowflake. I see there was some light ground snow spotted at Black Mountain, and near Afriski.
Last edit: 02 May 2018 09:37 by JonWells.
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03 May 2018 07:34 #73365 by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2018
It seems that Afriski has had another surprise snowfall this morning. From their Facebook page:

"More SNOW news this morning at Afriski! Currently we have about 1cm of snow on the roads making things a little bit slippery. Please note: roads are closed to 2x4 vehicles until further notice"

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11 May 2018 09:02 #73443 by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2018
As it stands this morning, the models are suggesting there may be some light snowfall over most of the escarpment from Saturday afternoon, and then again from Monday afternoon.

Here is the latest potential snow accumulation map from snow-forecast.com:

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12 May 2018 17:39 #73477 by Papa Dragon
Replied by Papa Dragon on topic Snow Watch 2018
Apparently snow on Sani now..

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14 May 2018 08:03 #73480 by JonWells
Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2018
Below is yesterday's satellite image overlay showing the remaining snow cover in dark red. The falls certainly extended a lot further West than was originally forecast.




Today's forecast snow is still on track, with 15cm+ possible in places:

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17 May 2018 07:57 #73514 by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Snow Watch 2018
Still some snow at the top of Sani, and plenty at Garden Castle.

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