Truck drivers and all motorists alike planning to use the N3 in the Free State to part of KwaZulu-Natal provinces should prepare for high winds and snow from tonight (Thursday) and should pack extra warm clothes or blankets and food in case of delays.
High winds and snow are expected from Warden to Van Reenen on the N3 freeway from Thursday night.
N3 Toll Concession advised motorists who can delay their trips to do so. If the situation demands that a motorist be on the road they should be prepared for possible delays caused by the adverse weather.
Night time driving is discouraged as temperatures drop rapidly and visibility becomes very poor.
The N3 Toll Concession company advised delaying trips over this period if possible given the difficult driving conditions predicted on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Watch: Thick snow on N1 between Hanover and Richmond cause major traffic disruption
Snowfall is expected on Friday and Saturday in the Dihlabeng, Maluti a Phofung and Phumelela districts, including a section of the N3 Toll Route from Van Reenen’s Pass to Warden.
“Our road incident management system, including emergency medical services, law enforcement, the road traffic inspectorate, local authorities and route patrol services, have already been mobilised and are ready to provide support where required,” N3 Toll Concessions said.
However, transport and logistics operators, particularly those transporting livestock and perishable loads, should plan accordingly.
Those keen to chase the snow are also asked to avoid the regions where snowfall is expected.
“So-called snow chasers place an additional burden on limited emergency resources and often cause havoc on the roads during already dangerous conditions,” said N3TC’s operations manager, Thania Dhoogra.
Conditions may change quickly, so travelling parties should prepare well by taking extra blankets, a torch, food and refreshments in case of lengthy road closures.
People with medical conditions or travelling with babies should ensure they travel with sufficient baby supplies and medication.
There might also be power failures and communication systems pressures due to the adverse weather.
Snow has fallen in parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape. The snow has been brought on by extremely cold weather moving across the interior and a cold front has brought bitterly cold weather to several parts of the country.
The owners of the Semonkong Lodge, nestled in the Maluti Mountains, woke up to a winter wonderland in Lesotho on Tuesday. The mountainside was covered in blankets of white snow.
Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho welcomed their first major snowfall for the winter season on Thursday. It started at 02:00 and continued for a few hours. The landscape around the resort has been covered with approximately 10cm of snow.
Dhoogra also cautioned road users to use or circulate information from a trusted news source.
#N3WeatherAlert #HighWinds expected along parts of the #N3TollRoute today. Possible #Snowfall predicted tomorrow from #VanReenen to #Warden. Prepare for adverse weather. Read here: https://t.co/oM9RubOn9h or contact #N3Helpline 0800 63 43 57 pic.twitter.com/XXdyX2bJZe
— N3 Toll Concession (@N3Route) August 12, 2021
