KwaZulu-Natal is preparing for a spell of severe winter weather, with snowfall expected over the Drakensberg and heavy rainfall forecast to bring a risk of flooding across central and coastal parts of the province.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive snowfall over the Drakensberg, including Underberg, Mbejde and Bergville, where icy conditions are expected to make roads hazardous and disrupt traffic.
SAWS forecaster Nhlanhla Sithole said a combination of weather systems is driving the deteriorating conditions.
"Just to give you a little bit of context, we are experiencing some weather due to a number of weather systems that are on track," Sithole said.
"Amongst those weather systems is a cold front that's already passed the southern parts of the country. Behind that cold front is a strong ridge and high-pressure system, and these surface systems are accompanied by an upper-air cut-off low."
He said the systems are expected to produce isolated to widespread showers and thundershowers across KwaZulu-Natal.
SAWS has also issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rainfall over central parts of the province, while a more serious Yellow Level 4 warning remains in effect for the coast and adjacent interior until Wednesday.
Sithole warned that the rainfall could lead to localised flooding in vulnerable areas.
"That's going to lead to localised flooding of susceptible formal and informal settlements, roads and low-lying bridges," he said.
"Motor vehicles might get into minor accidents due to slippery roads, and visibility might be reduced. That is over the central and eastern parts of KZN today."
He added that the Level 4 warning carries the potential for more significant impacts along the coast and surrounding inland areas.
"We also have a disruptive rainfall warning, a Yellow Level 4, resulting in the same but more significant impacts. The warning covers the coastal areas and the adjacent interior of KZN today into tomorrow morning," Sithole said.
Forecasters have warned that more than 40 millimetres of rain could fall in the worst-affected areas.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said disaster management teams have been placed on standby and will closely monitor flood-prone communities and other high-risk areas throughout the severe weather event.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid flooded roads and low-water bridges, exercise caution while travelling and remain informed by following official weather forecasts and emergency updates as conditions develop.