Weather service monitoring developing tropical storms
Tropical low pressure systems are only named once reaching this stage, which is when wind speeds reach at least 63km/h.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) is monitoring a series of tropical low pressure systems in the Southwest Indian Ocean Basin.
While cyclone season has got off to a quiet start, this weekend could see the naming of the region’s first low pressure system as it is expected to reach ‘moderate tropical storm’ status.
Tropical low pressure systems are only named once reaching this stage, which is when wind speeds reach at least 63km/h.
‘There is even an indication that there could be multiple tropical low pressure systems developing in the basin in the next few days, however, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding their exact location, strength and track,’ said the SAWS on Thursday.
The weather service said that at present, these low pressure systems pose no direct threat to South Africa.
Tropical storm Eloise made landfall in Mozambique one year ago, causing extensive damage in and around Beira, after having been downgraded to a moderate tropical storm with winds of 83km/h.
Her path of destruction continued into South Africa, bringing over 100km/h winds and 400mm of rain to northeastern parts of the country.
