September usually marks the arrival of spring, but 45 years ago, unusual weather gripped parts of South Africa.

On 10 September 1981, heavy snow fell across large parts of the interior, including Johannesburg, the Long Tom Pass, Amersfoort, Bethal, Witbank, Standerton, Ermelo, Springs, Delmas and Vanderbijlpark.

Johannesburg was one of the worst-hit areas. Snow fell throughout the day and reached about 15 to 20cm in some places, covering streets, gardens and rooftops in white.

Snow brought parts of the country to a standstill

The unusual weather was more than a spectacle.

The storm delayed trains, cancelled flights to and from Jan Smuts International Airport, and forced some hospitals to rely on emergency power.

Hundreds of telephone poles between Harrismith and Warden also bent under the weight of the snow.

Pretoria also received snow that morning, while several other areas across the interior experienced significant snowfall.

A review of major South African snowfalls lists 10 September 1981 as a notable snow day in Johannesburg.

A September snowfall still remembered

Snow is rare in Johannesburg, making the 1981 event one of the city’s memorable weather moments.

For many residents who experienced it, spring did not feel much like spring that day.

And 45 years later, the photographs of a snow-covered Johannesburg remain a reminder that South African weather can still deliver some extraordinary surprises.

Do you remember a weather event that left a lasting impression on you? Tell us what happened.