The weather here this winter has been crazy and confusing. We had a very cold spell in mid-July which resulted in heavy snowfalls in some parts of South Africa (see here and here). Then it warmed up to almost summer time temperatures with a week of two of bergwind conditions along the coastal areas. Bergwinds are hot, dry winds blowing from the mountains towards the sea. [I described the effect this wind has in an earlier post called Berg Wind Blues .] Then last week another huge cold front swept its way through South Africa, causing chilly weather and more heavy snowfalls in the higher lying areas of the Western and Eastern Cape.
Friends who live in the Eastern Cape went on a trip to the area around Ugie and Barclay Pass (near Eliot) last week. [See Map] Again that area had record snowfalls – and they took some photographs which they’ve kindly shared with me. According to the locals, the last snowfall had been on Tuesday 7 August. These photographs were taken the following Thursday/Friday, so some of the snow would already have melted.
©Sarita and Thinus Botha
©Sarita and Thinus Botha
©Sarita and Thinus Botha
For snow to pile up like this is very unusual for South Africa. ©Sarita and Thinus Botha
And the animals – which are not used to much snow in South Africa – look confused!
“Where’s the grass gone?!” ©Sarita and Thinus Botha
I’m not sure what this bird is doing?! Anyone got any ideas? ©Sarita and Thinus Botha
This is my personal favourite because the cat looks very like our cat Lucy. You can imagine what this cat is thinking: “Hey, where’s the garden gone?!” ©Sarita and Thinus Botha.
Thank you to Sarita and Thinus Botha for sharing their photographs and making this post possible.
Notes from Africa 
Fabulous photographs, thank you to you and your friends for sharing them. We still have a strong weather front hanging off the tip of Cape Town; who knows what that will produce.
Thanks Kate! I saw photos of the storms you had in Cape Town last weekend – the sea was really wild. We were expecting it to come our way . . . and then it didn’t.
What a wonderful collection of images, Lisa! That really is a LOT of snow… I hope you are all keeping warm and snuggled up close to the fireplace or the heater?
Thanks Reggie! I’m not too bothered by cold, but Lucy (the cat) is suffering. She’s permanently huddling next to the heater.
I know the feeling – Tuffy has taken up permanent residence near our oil heater too… and I have been firmly attached to my hot-water bottle every night, and almost every single day since this cold weather started. Brr…. Cosy-winter-snuggles to Lucy!
sweet kitty looks like it’s saying “brrr i’m cold and a little bit wet—someone carry me in side and snuggle me!” would love to have a teensy bit of cool air—it was 114 Fahrenheit here yesterday 🙂
Lucy (our cat) doesn’t like cold weather, so she’d definitely be saying that!
I hate very hot weather. When it’s mid-summer here and there’s snow in the northern hemisphere, I find myself looking at snow pics to mentally cool myself down. 🙂
We’ve had bizarre weather here as well this summer–insanely hot in June and much, much cooler than average now that August is here–when it should be the hottest. Great to hear from you, Lisa! Hope you and Willy are well.
Hugs,
Kathy
Hi Kathy! Interesting to hear that you’re also having weird weather. Willie was warned about attempting to visit the Southern US in August because of the heat. Now it sounds like it would have been bearable there this year.
Fabulous photos. It looks like a winter wonderland!
Poor kitty. 🙂
Yes, Sarita and Thinus took some great photos – too many to put into one post. Yes, that kitty doesn’t look to happy, does it?
I love that first picture. The snow looks so interesting given the unique configuration of the mountains!
That first photo is interesting, isn’t it? Willie drove through that area before the snowfalls. He took some photos which I’m going to be posting next, so you’ll be able to see mountains in that area without snow.
You can check out the mountains without snow here: http://www.afripics.com/home/products/request-quote.php?ProductID=1749 Just scroll down a bit.
That cat is cute! I’m glad I’m not living anywhere with all that snow!
Hi Sajib! Normally we don’t have much snow either. This winter we have had some really cold weather.
Lisa—I am giving you the Sunshine Award~ http://believeanyway.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/ive-got-sunshine-award/.