The N3 highway at Van Reenen’s Pass between the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal has been closed due to heavy snowfalls, the N3 Toll Concession has said.

Countrywide snowfall has left travellers stranded and children elated while bringing hardship to people living in townships.

Blasts of Arctic winds and drifting snow gripped much of the northern United States and Canada on Thursday and heavy snows fell in Europe.