In a blog post SAWS says these extreme weather conditions will be caused by a cut-off low pressure system and cold front moving across the country.

It says, 'the public is warned about the very cold conditions, heavy rainfall, snow (heavy in places) and strong winds which are expected to set in over parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces on Friday.'

'Snowfall is expected to start over the mountains in the south-western parts of the Western Cape during Thursday night, spreading rapidly east to reach the eastern half of the Eastern Cape by the following evening.'

'Freezing levels are expected to drop to below 1500m above sea level by Friday evening over the Western Cape, western and southern parts of the Northern Cape as well as the northern parts of the Eastern Cape.'

SAWS says as such, snowfall will be widespread and can be expected in areas where it has not snowed in a long time or has not snowed at all.