DRY, HOT SUMMER PREDICTED FOR SA

Get ready, this summer is going to be a scorcher. That’s according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS).

The weather service’s Seasonal Climate Watch forecasted that South Africans will have to prepare for a warmer-than-usual summer until February.  

“Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal countrywide for the forecast period,” says the outlook.

The outlook usually focuses on the five months ahead with wetter conditions predicted for over the interior of the country. But, the exact opposite has been forecasted for the northeastern parts where dried conditions will extend through to the mid-summer period.

The report warned that there’s “significant uncertainty” about the possibility of the La Nina weather pattern’s forecast. Initial predictions saw the weather pattern forming now already, but more recent predictions have seen the date being pushed back.

It’s not believed that La Nina will be much weaker than previously believed.

The Seasonal Climate Watch warned that above-normal rainfall could have good and bad effects on the agricultural sector.

“Above-normal rainfall is forecasted for the central parts and the southeastern coastal areas of the country during early and mid-summer seasons. This above-normal rainfall forecast for these summer rainfall regions will likely have a positive impact on crop and livestock production.”

Image credit: The Mail & Guardian