[VIDEO] Tropical Storm ‘Desmond’ could bring rain to South Africa
According to Storm Report SA, Desmond is forecast to make landfall in Mozambique on Tuesday, 22 January.
POLOKWANE – A tropical storm, named Desmond, is the first storm to form near Madagascar and Mozambique since the start of the current 2018/2019 cyclone season.
https://www.facebook.com/stormreportsaOFFICIAL/videos/396566077746484/
Storm Report SA says the storm is now of moderate intensity with wind gusts of 100km/h, with another tropical low system forming north-east of Madagascar which is expected to cross the island and intensify in the Mozambique Channel, next week.
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, strong winds and thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. The weakest tropical cyclones are called tropical depressions but if a depression intensifies, it then becomes a tropical storm.
Tropical storm “Desmond” is moving gradually to the north-west at about 20 km/h, nearing the central coast of Mozambique (near Vilanculos, Beira, Quelimane). pic.twitter.com/HLW3jhE2yh
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 21, 2019
TC #Desmond has formed over the Mozambique Channel. Desmond will push into the #Mozambique province of #Zambezia Monday night or early Tuesday. Heavy rain and #flooding are the main threat. pic.twitter.com/npn7cGjMfm
— Jason Nicholls 💙 (@jnmet) January 21, 2019
Cyclone alerts have been issued to residents in Mozambique, extending along the coastline from Beira to Nacala and residents have been warned to prepare for conditions including a storm surge of 2-4 meters, dangerous seas, coastal flooding, and an inland flood threat.
This storm “Desmond”, is expected to cause strong winds (of 70 km/h at most), heavy rain and flooding in places over the southern and central provinces of Mozambique. In the southern Mozambique Channel, the sea conditions will be very rough (4.5 to 6.5 meters).
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) January 21, 2019
In February 2017, Limpopo and Mpumalanga were hit by Tropical Storm ‘Dineo’ which resulted in windy and rainy weather across the two provinces.
Read more: ‘Dineo’ to hit Lim tomorrow
However, Storm Report SA says that because landfall will only happen on Tuesday, Desmond could weaken, rather than strengthen.
“A bit of good news for South Africa though, is that the position of the system later could enhance moisture flow to South Africa, especially the Free State, North West, Eastern Cape and the eastern parts of the Northern Cape. This could lead to some good rainfall starting the end of this week especially into next week,” a post read.
Limpopo has not been included in that list, however, the South African Weather Service has forecasted rain for Polokwane over the weekend.
Read more: ‘Cooler’ temperatures expected in Polokwane this week
