GREENHOUSE gases in the atmosphere reached new record levels in 2015, says the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
The weather service said this is according to data released by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
“Nations can expect hotter temperatures, more intense drought and more intense rainfall and flooding episodes directly threatening lives, livelihoods and property.
“According to the climate records of SAWS in 2015, South Africa experienced the driest year on record since 1904,” said the weather service.
It said this can be attributed to variability in weather patterns due to climate change and the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to subside by June 2016.
The weather service said the resultant drought has been associated with an unprecedented frequency of heatwaves.
South Africa recorded 48.4 °C in Vredendal in October, the highest recorded temperature in the world for October, according to the WMO, while 31°C maximum temperature records were shattered across South Africa in early January 2016, during yet another strong heatwave.
