Residents in some parts of the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal woke up to snow covering nearby mountains and their gardens. (File image)

• With summer upon us, the South African Weather Service has warned the public to brace for thunderstorms that may produce hail at times.
• Residents in parts of the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal were treated to a stunning sight of snow-capped mountains and gardens on Tuesday. 
• With the snow being much deeper on the Drakensberg, bordering Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, it will take some time for it to melt.

Residents in some parts of the Eastern Cape, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal woke up to the breathtaking sight of snow covering nearby mountains and their gardens on Tuesday.  

Barkley East, Elliot, and parts of Matatiele, south of the Drakensberg, have been turned into a winter wonderland.  

Snow has capped the Sneeuberg, Winterberg and the Drakensberg mountains.

The SA Weather Service said other parts of the country that experienced snowfalls were the eastern parts of the Free State and mountainous parts of KwaZulu-Natal. 

Meteorologist Lelo Kleinbooi added no more snow was expected in the coming days, with only a chance of morning and evening fog and mist in places south of the Eastern Cape escarpment.

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There should be an improvement in the daytime temperatures over the province on Wednesday. 

The snow should melt much quicker in the Eastern Cape because temperatures were higher his time of the year, said Kleinbooi.

Eastern Cape traffic authorities have not reported any road closures.

There is still snow over Sani Pass, but it should start melting on Wednesday as temperatures started increasing, the weather service said. 

It might take a while longer for the snow to melt over the Drakensberg, bordering Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, as more had accumulated there, Kleinbooi added.

Both the public and experts have been left baffled by the unexpected snowfall. 

“It is strange, it is just that it is really not frequent during this time of the year due to the dynamics that usually dominate the weather,” said Kleinbooi.

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On Thursday, there is a slight chance of thunderstorms over the north-eastern parts of the province, the weather service said, adding generally windy conditions could be expected with a chance of showers and thundershowers in places across the province on Friday.  

From Saturday until Monday, there is a chance of showers and rain along the Eastern Cape south coast and adjacent interior, while thundershowers are expected in most places over the province. 

“It’s spring/summer now and therefore the public should expect thunderstorms that may produce hail at times,” Kleinbooi said.  

The public is urged to monitor forecasts for any developments and possible warnings.