Throwback: How snow halted Johannesburg on 10 September 1981

On 10 September 1981 a rare and heavy snowfall swept across large parts of South Africa’s interior, leaving Johannesburg and surrounding towns covered in white and grinding normal life to a halt, according to The South African.

Where the snow fell

According to The South African, the snowfall on 10 September 1981 affected a wide area of the interior, including Johannesburg, the Long Tom Pass, Amersfoort, Bethal, Witbank, Standerton, Ermelo, Springs, Delmas and Vanderbijlpark. Pretoria also received snow that morning, and several other interior areas saw significant accumulation.

How badly Johannesburg was hit

The South African reports that Johannesburg was among the worst-hit areas. Snow fell throughout the day and in some places reached about 15 to 20cm, covering streets, gardens and rooftops.

Disruption and damage

The South African says the storm did more than create a spectacle: it delayed trains, cancelled flights to and from Jan Smuts International Airport and forced some hospitals to rely on emergency power. The report also notes that hundreds of telephone poles between Harrismith and Warden bent under the weight of the snow.

A day that entered the records

According to The South African, a review of major South African snowfalls lists 10 September 1981 as a notable snow day in Johannesburg a rare event remembered for its scale and impact.

Remembering the unexpected

The 1981 snowfall remains a striking reminder that weather can produce extraordinary and disruptive events even in places where snow is uncommon. Photographs and accounts from that day continue to stand out in recollections of South African weather.