Sleet has everybody confused

Gauteng residents were left disappointed yesterday when what they thought was snow turned out to be sleet.

Following heavy snowfall in KwaZulu-Natal, many excited city residents expected a thick blanket of snow to fall at the first sign of white "snowflakes" yesterday afternoon. Instead they were left with sleet and soft hail.

Forecasters at the South African Weather Service were "surprised" when reports surfaced that it had snowed in Johannesburg.

"It is sleet. We have received reports of hail during thunderstorms so actually it is sleet," said forecaster Lulama Menze.

Johannesburg Twitter users uploaded photos of ice-covered yards and parking lots. Some thought it was snow while others argued that it was sleet.

User @Edd_ShokA warned: "Don't mistake 'icy' conditions for snow!"

Others said they were disappointed it was not snowing in their neighbourhoods.

Another forecaster, William Msimang, agreed that it was unusual for Johannesburg to be "so cold" at this time of the year.

"A cold front is moving over the area and in this system there are thunderstorms and very low temperatures. Yes, it is not normal for temperatures to drop so low but it is difficult to say what actually caused it," Menze said.

She said the cold front was expected to move out today.

In KwaZulu-Natal, a thick blanket of snow fell at Van Reenen's Pass. Last month, truckers and motorists were stranded for more than 24 hours when the highway between the Tugela Plaza and the pass was closed after heavy snowfall.

Yesterday, motorists were saved when authorities closed the highway and alternative routes to and from Johannesburg and graders brought in to clear roads.

Road Traffic Inspectorate spokesman Zinhle Mngomezulu said the highway was reopened shortly after 1pm. - Additional reporting by Siphiliselwe Makhanya