More rainfall expected in October to January 2022
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By Lineo Ramatlapeng
Energy and Meteorology Minister Mohapi Mohapinyane announced the Seasonal Climate outlook saying the country shall experience a LA Nina Southern Oscillation that will result in more rainfall in the country.
He said the EL Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in its neutral phase with a possibility of a weak LA Nina Developing during the period October 2021 to January 2022; Mohapinyane said.
The Minister said the 2021/2022 rainfall season is likely to be influenced by weak LA Nina which is the cooling in the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean that is associated with enhanced precipitation over the country.
Mohapinyane explained that the country is expected to receive normal to above-normal rains for the period starting October 2021 to March 2022.
He, however, said it is anticipated that the month of October 2021 will experience normal to below normal rainfall.
The onset of rains, Mohapinyane said is forecast to be towards the end of October 2021 in the highlands and mid-November 2021 in the lowlands.
“Temperatures are predicted to be normal for the period October 2021 to March 2022 with a possibility of below normal,” he said.
Mohapinyane added that occurrences of strong winds, lightning, severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and hailstorms are common weather phenomena in summer but, climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of weather and climate extremes.
The previous season 2020/2021, Mohapinyane said was characterized by good rains as the entire country received above-normal rainfall from October to December 2020 and January to March 2021.
Mohapinyane said heavy rainfall was experienced in January 2021.
He said the dry conditions were observed in April to June 2021 as below-normal rain was received; he added that the heavy snowfall and widespread rains occurred at the end of July 2021 into the 1st week of August 2021.
“The 2020/2021 season mostly recorded normal temperatures throughout the country,” he said.
The ministry, Mohapinyane said will continuously advise the nation on impending weather hazards which might pose a risk to social welfare and property safety.
