Severe weather conditions continue to batter parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, with gale-force winds, snow, and heavy rainfall disrupting daily life, damaging infrastructure, and forcing the closure of major roads, including parts of the N2 highway.
KZN weather on Tuesday, 10 June 2025: Here’s the latest
According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), a cut-off low pressure system is driving the extreme cold, thunderstorms, and strong winds across the region.
These systems bring long-lasting and intense weather conditions, and when combined with heavy rainfall and snow, they can cause serious damage in a short period.
Nhlanhla Sithole from SAWS said:
“There is an orange level 5 warning for damaging interior winds in the southern parts of KZN. These winds could result in injuries, destruction of homes or other buildings, and the loss of crops and animals.”
Winds in some coastal areas have reached gale-force speeds of up to 80km/h, prompting a yellow level 4 warning for the coastline.
“These winds could affect small boats, cause waves to crash over harbours, and make it very dangerous for ships and people on the beach,” Sithole added.
Senzelwe Mzila from the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) confirmed that several towns near the Drakensberg mountains — including Underberg, Kokstad, Impendle, Inkosi Langalibalele, Mpofana, Okhahlamba, Umuziwabantu, and uMzimkhulu — are under a level 2 warning for snowfall.
Snowfall in these areas could damage roads, destroy vulnerable crops, and be deadly for livestock caught outside.
As a safety measure, authorities have closed the N2 highway between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg due to dangerous snow and icy conditions. This closure also stretches into parts of the Eastern Cape.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma stated:
“To save lives, we have decided to close completely the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg as well as the R603.”
Duma added that traffic police in Kokstad and Ray Nkonyeni are working to redirect traffic and help clear the snow. He urged motorists, including thrill-seeking “snow chasers,” to stay away from the affected areas.
In the Eastern Cape, similar problems are being reported.
Heavy snow has covered multiple roads, including the N2 near Mount Frere, the R61 near Nxuba, and the R58 through Barkley Pass.
Some roads are only open to small cars under police supervision, while larger trucks are being turned away.