A year ago, on a crisp winter morning just outside Lydenburg, residents woke up to a sight that hadn’t graced the town in over a decade: snowfall.
This remarkable event occurred on the Long Tom Pass on July 11, 2023, turning the landscape into a winter wonderland and capturing the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
❄ Snow on Longtom Pass Lydenburg Mpumalanga this morning! See our website for details and our fb page for photos – https://t.co/qs5oMScTA4 #snowreportsa #africansnow #mpumalangasnow pic.twitter.com/r8X7DQZKS4
— Snow Report Southern Africa (@SnowReportSA) July 11, 2023
Lydenburg is known for its picturesque scenery and usually mild winters. However, on that particular day, nature decided to paint the town white, creating scenes reminiscent of a storybook winter tale.
Also read: IN PHOTOS: Fun in snow-covered areas of Mpumalanga
The Long Tom Pass became the focal point of this extraordinary weather event. Snowflakes blanketed the rugged terrain, transforming it into a serene and magical setting.
Longtom Pass, Lydenburg, closed due to heavy snow.
AVOID!!! pic.twitter.com/2lEzf6Y66r
— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz) July 10, 2023
Trees and hills were adorned with a layer of snow, casting a serene silence over the usually bustling pass.
Also read: IN PHOTOS: More fun in the snow for Lowvelders
For the residents of Lydenburg, many of whom had never seen snow, it was a momentous occasion. Families ventured out to enjoy the novelty, children built snowmen with glee, and photographers captured the fleeting beauty of the snow-covered landscape.
Special Urgent 🚨 Message – Longtom Pass closed due heavy snow – vehicles can’t move and are stuck –
Lydenburg & Sabie Road R37 pic.twitter.com/E84Hy2IbGL
— 🔝MacHunter💪👌🙏🏻😏🔚Fᵘᶜᵏ Yᵒᵘʳ Oᵖᶦᶰᶦᵒᶰ (@Hunter__622) July 10, 2023
While no one can predict when the next snowfall will dust Lydenburg and the Long Tom Pass, one thing is certain: when it does, it will be met with the same sense of wonder and joy that filled the hearts of those fortunate enough to witness the snowfall a year ago.