People take photos as snow falls in Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)
Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, on Monday experienced snowfall for the first time in more than a decade.
JOHANNESBURG, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa, on Monday experienced snowfall for the first time in more than a decade.
Johannesburg last saw snow in 2012 and 1996. On Sunday night, temperatures dropped to minus 3 degrees Celsius in Johannesburg, according to South African Weather Service (SAWS).
"A cold front caused a significant drop in temperatures over Gauteng Province. The minimum temperatures recorded have met criteria for snowy conditions," the SAWS said in a statement on Monday, which noted that snow was also experienced in Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces.
A pedestrian walks as snow falls in Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Yudong)
The SAWS advised the public and small stock farmers that the very cold, wet and windy conditions may pose a risk to livestock, vulnerable crops and plants.
The Gauteng Metrorail said the snow affected infrastructure and its components, which include tracks, cross-over points and electrical cables, forcing them to suspend some trains, adding that the overhead wires experienced tension which resulted in power instability and failure. ■
