Warmer weather but it’s still winter

The significant improvement in daytime temperatures expected for the better part of this week does not signal the beginning of the end of winter, the South African Weather Service cautioned yesterday.

Maximum temperatures warmed to highs of nearly 25ºC in Gauteng yesterday, while minimum temperatures improved to between five and six degrees.

Yesterday, forecaster Venetia Phakula said minimums in Vereeniging and Johannesburg are expected to be between 6 and 8oC, while Pretoria’s low will be 9oC today.

Pretoria and Vereeniging are expected peak at 22ºC, while Johannesburg is set to reach highs of 21ºC.

“Elsewhere, we are not expecting much except for another cold front later in the week, but it will not be strong.

“The only parts where rainfall is expected this week are the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Western Cape, from Wednesday going into Thursday,” said Phakula.

More strong cold fronts are still on the cards, extending into the northeastern and central parts of the country, which includes Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Free State.

“The possibility of extreme weather conditions can not be ruled out for August, despite the fact that winter is expected to come to an end at the end of this month as we will be going through a short transitional phase next month.

“According to our seasonal forecast issued two weeks ago, there is uncertainty over rainfall between this month and November as the signal remains low, but for the western parts of the country indications are showing above normal rainfall,” Phakula said.

Much higher temperatures are on the cards for the western half of the Western Cape towards the end of winter. The chance of the return of the El Nino weather system have decreased further.

Rain forecasts are below normal for most of the country.