• The South African Weather Service says rumours about an extreme cold winter are not true.

• Experts say the Aphelion doesn’t affect local weather, and people should check official forecasts.

The South African Weather Service has shut down rumours of a massive cold front hitting the country this winter.

Rumours are doing the rounds on social media, warning of an extremely cold season caused by the Aphelion – the time of year when Earth is furthest from the Sun. This year, it falls on 3 July.

But the weather experts say the Aphelion doesn’t affect the temperature.

Lehlohonolo Thobela, a meteorologist, said seasons change because of the Earth’s tilt, not its distance from the Sun, The Citizen reported.

The weather service has urged people to ignore false messages and rely only on official forecasts.

Their latest forecast shows that most parts of South Africa are expected to be warmer than usual this winter.

Some places along the southern coast might get slightly colder, but that’s normal for this time of year.

Thobela added that El Niño – a climate pattern that can affect weather – is now neutral and unlikely to cause problems this winter.

South Africa will still see the usual cold spells from cold fronts and other winter systems.

The weather service said it will keep a close eye on conditions and share updates when needed.

They warned people to double-check information before sharing it, especially when it comes to the weather.

Pictured above: Snow in South Africa.

Image source: Arrive Alive