Weather in Africa 2020-UP

[Mark]

https://www.sott.net/article/435384-14-all-time-low-temperatures-recorded-in-South-Africa-yesterday

These record low May temperatures were set ACROSS the southernmost tip of Africa, although the east appears to have been disproportionately hit.

The "II AGR" weather station in Buffelspoort -located NW of Johannesburg- set a new "Lowest Minimum" temperature on Thursday, May 28 of -2C (35.6F) — a reading which comfortably usurped the station's previous all-time lowest May minimum of 0.9C (33.6F) set back on May 10, 1970.

Secunda -located amidst the coalfields of the Mpumalanga province- was another region to suffer its lowest May temperature on record. The town logged a bone-chilling -3.9C (25F) on Thursday morning, which surpassed the old record of -3.3C (26F) from May 29, 1994.

Exceptional snowfall has been accompanying the low temps.

"We've got ground-level snow in quite a few places," said Richard le Sueur of SnowReportSA while on popular SA radio show CapeTalk on May 27.

"The front swept in from the west and has gone right across the country ... We've had snow on the Western Cape mountains, the Southwestern Cape and through the Southern Cape and into the Eastern Cape ... also, in Lesotho and the Northern Cape ... So, pretty much widespread snow," said le Sueur.

"We're going to see a chilly winter," he concluded.

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[Mark]

As predicted by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), parts of South Africa have been hit by an intense cold front yesterday and today (Wed and Thurs 10-11 June 2020).

Many Capetonians awoke to a scene that looked like snow... but was in fact bucket-loads of hail.

Whilst in other parts of the Western Cape, residents were treated to mountains of actual snow.

SAWS posted a satellite image of the cold front over the central interior of SA this morning. The weather service announced "very cold temperatures" across the western, central and southern parts of the country, and warned of heavy showers still being possible over the Western Cape with snow on the mountains.
https://www.sott.net/article/436255-Intense-cold-front-hits-South-Africa

[Mark]

Waves of anomalous cold are coloring the majority of the 11.73 million mi² African continent “blue” and “purple” this week, as the Grand Solar Minimum continues its intensification.


Latest GFS runs (below) reveal temperature departures some 4C – 10C below the seasonal norm will stretch the length and breadth of Africa today, June 19 — from Morocco in the north down to South Africa in, well, the south:

https://electroverse.net/practically-all-of-the-african-continent-to-suffer-anomalous-cold/

[Mark]

https://www.sott.net/article/440523-Significant-snow-blankets-low-lying-parts-of-Western-Cape-South-Africa

he Western Cape has experienced low temperatures since Friday - and on Saturday certain parts of the region were blanketed in snow. Matroosberg, Sutherland and Ceres regions have been fortunate enough to enjoy significant snowfall.

Snow-Forecast predicted that the Matroosberg area will receive a light covering of snow on Saturday [August 29]. "Temperatures will be below freezing, with a maximum of 0°C on Monday morning [August 31], and min -7°C on Saturday night [August 29]. Winds will also be decreasing, with fresh winds from the west on Saturday morning [August 29], and calm by Monday night [August 31]."

[Mark]

https://electroverse.net/stage-4-power-cuts-across-south-africa-as-polar-cold-causes-spike-in-demand/

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 2 (Reuters) — South African state power utility Eskom said it would ramp up power cuts on Wednesday, as cold weather caused a spike in demand after many of its generating units had broken down.


The company, which started implementing “stage 2” power cuts on Tuesday, said that from 3 p.m. Wednesday it would increase them to “stage 4,” requiring up to 4,000 megawatts (MW) of power to be shed from the national grid.

It said 11,300 MW of its roughly 44,000 MW nominal capacity was offline because of unplanned breakdowns, adding to 5,040 MW on planned maintenance.

[Mark]

Pietermaritzburg residents ran for cover when hailstones as large as tennis balls battered the KwaZulu-Natal capital on Wednesday afternoon.

The sudden hailstorm started at 3pm and within minutes had damaged property and vehicles.

Wykeham Collegiate pupils watched the downpour from indoors before running out to play as soon as the hailstorm ended.

"The temperature in Pietermaritzburg was scorching today, so the girls were thrilled with the excitement of the afternoon storm which saw hailstones the size of golf and tennis balls raining down," said Wykeham marketing co-ordinator Jackie Clausen.

She said the school would assess the damage to property and vehicles on Thursday.
https://www.sott.net/article/444547-Hailstones-as-big-as-tennis-balls-batter-Pietermaritzburg-South-Africa

[Mark]

Loch Vaal area at the weekend.
'We have lived here for 35 years and we've never seen anything like it': Residents describe Loch Vaal flooding after heavy rains

Flooding at Loch Vaal in Vanderbijlpark at the weekend resulted in dramatic scenes with families having to evacuate and an access road becoming impassable.

Localised flooding had occurred after heavy rains over recent days, with a report of 80mm falling in an hour late last week.

The police Water wing and K9 units as well as rescue services resulted in six people being rescued from the Rietspruit dam area after becoming trapped in their homes.
https://www.sott.net/article/447347-Severe-flooding-after-heavy-rainfall-in-Loch-Vaal-South-Africa-3-inches-in-an-hour

[Mark]

TheSouthAfrican.com describes a Level 5 snow warning as “something of a collector’s item in South Africa” — yet a number of districts are now on “high alert” for June 2.

A powerful Antarctic front has nestled itself within the central interior of southern Africa, with exceptionally cold conditions on the way for South Africa.

Through Wednesday, June 2 an incredibly rare “Level 5 snow warning” will be in place for multiple regions.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) made the announcement on their social media pages Tuesday afternoon, adding that “a very cold” night ahead was in store for many.
https://electroverse.net/rare-level-5-snowfall-warning-issued-in-south-africa/

[Mark]

Farmers across east Africa are counting their losses as an unusual chill continues to blast the region.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the cold of winter started earlier than usual this year, in May, rather than during the expected month of July.

The chill has been ravaging growing regions across east Africa, reports xinhuanet.com, with the mercury in some regions plummeting close to freezing, which is astonishing.

In Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, the average overnight low has been 10C (50F), with the daytime highs averaging at 18C (64F) — these readings are some 8C (14F) and 6C (11F) below the seasonal averages, respectively, according to the Department data.

“The cold weather provides a perfect environment for diseases, in particular blight, to thrive,” says Beatrice Macharia, an agronomist with Growth Point.

https://electroverse.net/early-season-chill-has-been-ravaging-east-africas-crops/

[Mark]

The majority of SA has seen a stark drop in temperatures this week, as a powerful Antarctic front grips the swathes of the southern African continent, including the nations of Namibia and Botswana.

Taking to social media, Storm Report South Africa has shared images of Sutherland Observatory in the Northern Cape covered in a hefty blanket of snow — the below photos were taken by SALT telescope operator Thea Koen:

The mercury plunged to record-breaking lows of -10C (14F) in some southern parts.

While incredibly frigid readings have also been logged in the northwest of the country — here, numerous locales, such as Van Zylsrus and Twee Rivieren, have just recorded their lowest temperatures in over 20 years.

Today, July 15, was an exceptionally cold morning across many other Southern African nations, too.

A historic -10C (14F) has just been registered in Sandveld, Namibia — the nation’s lowest-ever July reading, and one just 0.5C (0.9F) off the all-time national low of -10.5C (13.1F) set at Stampriet in August, 1974 (solar minimum of cycle 20).

Additionally, nearby Botswana also suffered harsh frosts and record cold this morning:

A low of -7.7C (18.1F) was observed at Tsabong, -6.2C (20.8F) at Werda, and -5.6C (21.9F) at Tshane — all unprecedented lows.

https://electroverse.net/heavy-snow-hits-sa-as-nations-log-their-coldest-july-temps-ever/

[Mark]

Following on from the record-smashing cold that infected Southern Africa on Thursday, the SA Weather Service (SAWS) has confirmed that a further 19 low temperature records were broken in the past 24 hours alone.

The service had warned that the country to brace for the coldest night of the year; however, it turned out to be the coldest night in recorded history for many locales, with records set 20, 40 and even 60+ years ago falling by the wayside.


Below I’ve compiled a few of the fallen records:


Kroonstad logged a bone-chilling -8C (17.6F), toppling the city’s previous record of -7.7C (18.1F) set in 1990.

Warden’s all-time low from 1989 was beaten by 0.4C, and now stands at -6.7C (19.9F).

In Kimberly, a historic -9.9C (14.2F) was recorded.

Warmbad Towoomba’s –5.6C (21.9F) busted the previous low of -5.5C (22.1F) from 1964 (solar minimum of cycle 19).

While in Johannesburg, a reading of -7C (19.4F) smashed the old record of -6.3C (20.7F) set in 1995 (solar minimum of cycle 23).

https://electroverse.net/snowstorm-in-africa-south-africa-smashes-19-all-time-low-temperature-records/

[Mark]

https://electroverse.net/igloos-in-south-africa-frogs-dying-from-the-cold-in-australia-arctic-air-to-sweep-europe/

IGLOOS IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa has been in the grips of a severe cold spell of late, and recently saw 19 all-time low temperature records broken. And making the most of the rare winter freeze, many South Africans went in search of snow.

Social media was soon awash with photos and videos of snowball fights and snowmen.

SA resident’s Wilroux Ackermann and his sister Lenchen-Marié took things one step further though.

The pair, while walking in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, encountered so much snow that they decided to construct an igloo atop the Perdekop hiking trail, located in the Western Cape.

Speaking to Snow Report SA, the sibling’s used a tin lunchbox to make the blocks:

[Mark]

In preparation for the incoming blast of polar cold, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a “dangerous” level 6 alert for vast stretches of the country, particularly across the Western Cape.

Heavy rain, blizzard-conditions, and large hail are expected to bring flooding, mudslides, and widespread power outages.

“Good luck to those of you living in the City of Cape Town this week,” reads the opening line of thesouthafrican.com.

“The heavens are set to open,” continues the article, “capping off a bleak and bitter winter season”:
https://electroverse.net/level-6-alert-issued-in-sa-aussie-snow-visible-from-space-uk-wind-farm-worker-froze-to-death/

[Mark]

https://electroverse.net/historic-snowfall-hits-south-africa-rare-snow-blankets-chilean-desert-disappointing-temps-besiege-europe-la-nina-watch-cme-update/

HISTORIC SNOWFALL HITS SOUTH AFRICA
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued a Level 4 Warning for the weekend as “disruptive” snow and record cold threatened to sweep the nation’s higher-elevations, including the Drakensberg.

A SAWS statement read: “widespread snowfall is expected on the high-lying areas with disruptive snow in the south-west.”

However, the flakes fell much further afield than forecast — in Hilton, Hillcrest, Dalton and other parts of the province, too.

Even low-lying regions such as Drummond copped a historic blast of wintry showers.

Sleet fell here, for the first time ever!

“There were was huge excitement,” said Drummond resident and SAPeople contributor Carol Malley.

“Very rare indeed,” she added.

[Mark]

What has been a very cold Southern Hemisphere winter isn’t over yet…

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had issued warnings for widespread spring snow this week, and conditions have not disappointed (see below) with even thundersnow noted over the Southern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.




Additional SNOW swept South Africa on Tuesday [Nenad Stojanovic].

Weather warnings remain in place for snow, rain and cold, with SAWS issuing a level 5 warning for “disruptive snowfall”.

“As the upper-air cut-off low intensifies, snowfall of a more significant and disruptive nature (as much as 30cm/1ft) should be anticipated over the eastern peaks of the Lesotho Drakensberg mountains, as well as higher peaks of the Eastern Cape, in the Barkly East and Tiffindell areas,” reads a section of the recent SAWS warning.



Sandra Mountain Shadows Hotel

“Small stock farmers should provide shelter for their vulnerable livestock and cover sensitive crops,” continues the warning.

“The public would also be well-advised to keep jackets and blankets close at hand, as the weather will remain very chilly … The weak and frail will be most vulnerable since their bodies won’t be able to retain their heat as easily,” the SAWS concludes — and just as fears of ‘stage 6 load-shedding’ also mount.


Greenland Just Gained A Record-Smashing 7 Gigatons Of Snow/Ice; + A Major Stratospheric Cooling Event Is Unfolding Across The Entire Southern Hemisphere…

https://electroverse.co/spring-snow-sweeps-sa-aussie-ski-resorts-and-mt-shasta-record-frosts-persist-in-europe-grain-prices-soar/

[Mark]

The storms and floods that have hit Mozambique since February have taken the lives of 117 people, according to Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane.

Giving information on the floods on Wednesday to the country's parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, Maleiane said that, up to 5 March, 272,000 people had been affected.

Cyclone Freddy was responsible for much of the damage. When it hit parts of the southern provinces of Inhambane and Gaza in late February, it dropped between 300 and 900 millimetres of rain in 24 hours.

Instead of dissipating, this cyclone has returned to the Mozambique Channel and is now heading northwards towards Zambezia province, where it is expected to make landfall on Friday.
https://www.sott.net/article/478150-Mozambique-117-dead-in-storms-and-floods-Cyclone-Freddy-dropped-nearly-3-FEET-of-rain-in-24-hours-returns-to-hit-country-again

[Mark]

A massive dust storm, or haboob, swept across the Sahara Desert from western Algeria into Mauritania, Morocco, Western Sahara and the Canary Islands on Monday. The dust stretched for more than 1,000 miles.

As meteorologists observed the dust storm from space via weather satellites, social media users captured the incoming dust storm on camera. One video shows a thick wall of dust and sand moving toward a resident of the town of Tindouf, near the Mauritanian, Western Saharan and Moroccan borders.

While this storm didn't make it too far off the coast, significant amounts of dust can drift westward from Africa across the Atlantic beginning in May. This can inhibit tropical storm formation, or the strengthening of an existing system, because the dusty air has about 50 less moisture than the typical tropical atmosphere.

Strong winds in the dust layer can also substantially increase the vertical wind shear in and around the storm environment, potentially disrupting any storm that forms.
https://www.sott.net/article/505499-1000-mile-Saharan-dust-storm-across-northwestern-Africa-from-the-sky-and-from-the-ground
https://twitter.com/i/status/2038716643384406279