The winter rainfall areas of Mzansi can expect the below-average rainfall trend of the past few months to continue through spring.
According to the South African Weather Service’s latest seasonal forecast, the transition into summer, from August to November, will not be particularly wet in these provinces. There’s also no good news for the drought-stricken parts of the Eastern Cape.
“The presence of the current La Niña event is not expected to have any significant impact on rainfall at this stage. However, its evaluation into the start of the summer months is important to take note of. The rainfall forecast indicates below-normal rainfall for the south-western parts of the country,” the report says.
“However, below-normal rainfall during spring over the winter rainfall regions is not likely to be significant,” it adds.
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More rain than usual expected elsewhere
Summer-rain regions will, on the other hand, likely receive above-normal rainfall over most parts during early, mid, and late spring, which is likely to bring positive impacts for crop and livestock production.
“Late spring is expected to have above-normal rainfall countrywide, with significant rainfall expected over the north-eastern parts of the country as we move to the summer months. Maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be above normal for most of the country.”
This increase in rain is, however, not likely to benefit or improve water reservoirs in regions that are currently experiencing ongoing droughts, such as the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, and where dams are still at critical storage levels, the weather service warns. In fact, warmer temperatures are likely to exacerbate water stress in these regions.
Farmers are advised to continue practicing water conservation and to keep a close eye on ongoing weather updates.
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