Snow in, or on the outskirts of, Pietermaritzburg (1851–2013) by P.G. Alcock NOW in KwaZulu-Natal has previous two months due to the warmer received very little attention conditions. The study was based on sat- Sin the literature.1 A pioneer- ellite imagery, given the lack of data on ing study of snow on the KwaZulu- snow in KwaZulu-Natal generally, and Natal Drakensberg was undertaken for especially in the uninhabited reaches of the period 1989–2004.2 The authors, the Drakensberg. Snow in South Africa, amongst other things, examined the in essence, can be described as an ob- geographic distribution of snow on the servational phenomenon, but which is Drakensberg and identified three “snow not scientifically measured like rainfall. seasons” in the Berg. These are: (a) an The incidence of snow in KwaZulu- early-snow season (April–June), (b) a Natal as a province can be divided into mid-snow season (July and August), that falling only on the KwaZulu-Natal and (c) a late-snow season (September Drakensberg proper (a fairly common and October). The most widespread occurrence in the cold season), and snow cover in the Drakensberg was in less frequently snow on the Drakens- July, for all terrain above 2 600 m. The berg and to a varying extent on the greatest monthly occurrence of snow high-lying KwaZulu-Natal Midlands was in August, although the snow was and elsewhere. There is a further situa- confined to higher altitudes than in the tion incorporating these two categories 73 Natalia 43 (2013), P.G. Alcock pp. 73 – 83 Natalia 43 (2013) Copyright © Natal Society Foundation 2013 Snow in, or on the outskirts of, Pietermaritzburg (1851–2013) which is sometimes encountered. This day suburb of Napierville. Thick snow concerns snow in Pietermaritzburg, or also covered the Swartkop or Zwart- on the hills overlooking the city, but kop (Zwaartkop) Mountain on the below the Hilton ridge (defined as the same day.4 A further report, for a lower approximate locality of Crossways altitude, was on 21 September 1853 Hotel). The Hilton ridge constitutes when snow was seen half-way down the beginning of the KwaZulu-Natal Town Hill.5 (See page 81 for localities Midlands. This third category of snow in and around Pietermaritzburg men- provides visual evidence of a cold tioned in the text.) A later report was weather system with an especially low for July and August 1869 when Pieter- freezing level, and is the subject of the maritzburg experienced intense cold.6 current paper. It was said that “ice was several inches Snow on the KwaZulu-Natal Drak- thick, and heavy falls of snow covered ensberg is a scenic wonder which at- the hills beyond the camp”. Confirma- tracts sightseers to the Drakensberg tion of snow in the winter of 1869 was resorts (i.e. is good for the hospitality provided by Frances Colenso, the wife industry). The same can be said for of Bishop John Colenso, in a letter dat- snow in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, ed 18 September 1869.7 Mrs Colenso, although in this case snow is a mixed from the vantage point of Bishopstowe blessing. Heavy falls can bring down on the eastern side of Pietermaritz- power lines and telephone cables, block burg, noted the presence of snow “on roads, trapping or delaying motorists the neighbouring hills” which lasted or leading to accidents, disrupt rail for more than a week. The actual date services, cause damage to commercial of this event was not stated, however. forestry plantations and property gen- Another report for August 1869 was erally, and result in livestock dying of that snow was “lightly spread over the exposure. Also of relevance is the dan- hills overlooking the Town Bush val- ger of low freezing levels for flights by ley”.8 Snow also “fell heavily for three light aircraft. Snow damage to com- days over Northern Natal” in August mercial timber species in KwaZulu- 1869.9 Snow was again evident in Pi- Natal and other parts of South Africa etermaritzburg in September 1873 and has been investigated inter alia by the July 1874, although it is very prob- Institute for Commercial Forestry Re- able that the snow fell “on the heights search in Pietermaritzburg and certain above Maritzburg”, rather than lower forestry companies. Heavy snow in the down.10 A subsequent sighting of snow Midlands in more historical times was “along the Town Hill range and Swart- probably less severely regarded, when kop” was on 1 August 1898.11 households were isolated, largely self- Other instances of snow in, or on, the sufficient and less reliant on a modern hills overlooking Pietermaritzburg are integrated economy. listed below: Possibly the first recorded instance of snow in, or above Pietermaritzburg, 10–12 June 1902 refers to 6 May 1851 when snow “lay The “most severe” snowstorm to have thickly on the hills overlooking the occurred since records were kept (up to camp”.3 The military camp under dis- 1902) swept over large parts of South cussion (Fort Napier) is in the present- 74 Natalia 43 (2013) Copyright © Natal Society Foundation 2013 Snow in, or on the outskirts of, Pietermaritzburg (1851–2013) Africa.12 The snowstorm became known strong winds blew snow onto verandas as the “Peace Snow”, a reference to and over the tops of gates and fences. the end of the Anglo-Boer War on 31 Some oxen were buried in snow with May 1902. Snow fell almost continu- only their noses visible. Trees and tele- ously for three days in the Karoo, the graph poles as well as wood and iron Eastern and North Eastern Cape, the houses were blown over by the winds. Orange Free State and Natal. The snow Airborne sheets of corrugated iron was accompanied by very strong winds killed some cattle in Pietermaritzburg. (evidently gale-force in some areas) and Railway lines, bridges, embankments rain. Major losses of livestock were and sea-piers were carried away by reported. More than 13 000 sheep died surging floodwaters or immensely de- of exposure in East Griqualand, where structive onshore waves. Several small the snow was said to have an average and larger vessels sank, including the depth of 1.5 m. No mention was made entire ferry fleet belonging to a Durban of snow on Swartkop, although “the shipping firm. range of hills” adjoining Swartkop was covered in thick snow.13 Snow fell on 21–22 June 1915 the Drakensberg and at Charlestown. Rain and snow fell in many parts of Heavy falls of snow were evident in Natal.17 The slopes of Swartkop were Ixopo as well as near Bulwer and Eden- covered in snow, with snow also vis- dale (the last-mentioned slightly to the ible slightly lower down at Boshoff’s west of Pietermaritzburg). Snow also Road (a railway siding) in Mount fell on a series of hills in the vicinity Michael. Snow likewise fell on the of Richmond. High winds caused con- Drakensberg and in Umzimkulu and siderable damage to timber plantations East Griqualand, Ixopo, Bulwer, Byrne, and the roofs of houses in the environs Nel’s Rust (Baynesfield), Karkloof, Ho- of Swartkop. A number of buildings in wick, Curry’s Post, Nottingham Road, Richmond and Ixopo were destroyed Rosetta, Mooi River, Estcourt, Riet by the winds. Vlei, Greytown, Elandslaagte, Wasch- bank, Dundee, Glencoe, Besters, on 31 May–1 June 1905 the Biggarsberg and in Wakkerstroom. The Great Blizzard, as it was known, An advertisement entitled “Snow on struck Natal and adjacent territo- Zwaartkop” was inserted in the Natal ries.14,15,16 Intense winds with rain, hail, Witness, 3 July 1915 by W. Watson Rob- snowfalls, flooding, thunder and light- ertson Studio of Chapel Street, urging ning caused widespread devastation in readers to buy “excellent photographs much of Natal. Many people died of of this unusual and picturesque sight”. exposure and were later found buried in snowdrifts. Others were killed by 18–19 July 1915 lightning or drowned. Livestock losses An official parade to welcome back the were reported from across Natal. Snow 47 officers and 853 men of the 1st and fell on the platforms of the Pietermar- 2nd Natal Carbineers and the attached itzburg railway station in Napierville. Natal Telegraph Corps was held on 19 Deep snowdrifts were observed in July 1915 during World War I.18 The Mooi River and Nottingham Road. The event was attended by the Governor- 75 Natalia 43 (2013) Copyright © Natal Society Foundation 2013 Snow in, or on the outskirts of, Pietermaritzburg (1851–2013) General of South Africa and his wife Newcastle, Utrecht, Volksrust and (Lord and Lady Buxton). The venue Harrismith. A photograph of the snow- was the Oval and Pavilion in Alexandra capped Swartkop was published on Park, near the centre of Pietermaritz- the front page of the Natal Witness on burg. The troops had just returned to 12 September 1921. A different report the city following the capitulation of also refers to snow in Kokstad and Van Deutsch-Südwestafrika (German South Reenen’s Pass.20 More snow fell on 9 West Africa) on 9 July 1915. The day of September 1921 in the South Eastern the parade was described as “bleak and Transvaal and in Johannesburg. bitter” with a strong and piercing wind blowing off the “snow-clad mountains” 26–27 June 1922 (presumably the Drakensberg). A final Swartkop was described as being “clad atmospheric insult was “a shower of in a white mantle”, with snow also evi- stinging sleet”. The lightly-dressed dent on the tops of nearby hills.21 The men, notwithstanding the weather, were road through Cedara was “blocked by kept on parade for over three hours.