A number of severe droughts have been experienced in the region, the most recent of which occurred in the early 1990s (SARDC 2002). The study recommends that water releases into the Limpopo River from dams upstream be measured. The average amount of … Average Weather in Polokwane South Africa. Temperatures across the Limpopo River basin follow a distinct seasonal cycle, with the coolest months in the winter (June - August) and the higher temperatures in early summer (late November to early December) (SARDC 2002; FAO 2004). spectacular golf courses. Average precipitation varies from as low as 200 mm per annum in the hot, dry parts of the basin (around the confluence of the Limpopo and the Shashe Rivers), to as high as 1 500 mm per annum in higher rainfall areas, such as the Drakensberg escarpment. Polokwane (previously known as Pietersburg), the capital city of Limpopo, lies more or less in the centre of the Limpopo province and its weather is reflective of most of it. Monthly precipitations above 150mm are mostly wet, below 30mm mostly dry. There is a rainy season which lasts from September to November, when hurricanes are more prone to visit the island chain. We are using cookies to make the website better. Average daily temperatures of 40°C in summer months are not uncommon, with winter temperatures dropping as low as 0°C at night. Mean monthly temperature for the Limpopo River basin. The Limpopo region supports a large rural population dependent on rain‐fed agriculture as well as significant biodiversity, particularly in the Kruger National/Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The satellite rainfall estimation was done using This comes as Tropical storm wreaked havoc on some parts of the country. The regional climate of the Limpopo River basin is heavily influenced by prevailing wind systems from the East, particularly Tropical Cyclones from the Indian Ocean (Ashton et al. There is a general westward decline in rainfall from the Drakensberg mountains in South Africa, to the western portion of the basin in South Africa's Limpopo Province and eastern Botswana. The precipitation in Limpopo is very dependent The summers are very warm, while the remainder of April till September are cooler. E. Southern summer. The second half of the agricultural season, which covers the period January to March 2021, is expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for the entire SADC region. Overall, there is a net moisture loss through evaporation and evapotranspiration across the basin (FAO 2004). The Limpopo region supports a large rural population dependent on rain‐fed agriculture as well as significant biodiversity, particularly in the Kruger National/Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The 10-day air parcel backward trajectories were produced for the extended wet season (October–April) as well as the early and late summer. While a regionof relatively low rainfall, the majority of the precipitationoccurring in the LimpopoRiverbasinfalls within a short window, during the summer months (FAO2004), with approximately 95 % falling between October and April and a rainfall concentration index for the basinof 60 % (100% indicates all rainfall occurring in one month; FAO2004). In these circumstances, the leeward side of the relief often experiences lower than average rainfall, which is often known as a rain shadow. central parts of the basin around the Limpopo River itself. You can enjoy the challenges of a variety of course designs and surfaces, The rainless period of the year lasts for 4.7 months, from May 4 to September 24. The study further recommends the analysis of runoff contributions into the Limpopo River by its major tributaries outside the rainfall season. Since the 2012), our study will subsequently focus on this part of the austral summer season. Precipitation during the wet season is usually less than 1 000 millimeters, and only during the summer season. Those who choose to visit this northern tip of the country will find that they can enjoy long sunny days and dry weather on most days. 2001). January 22, 2021 at 3:55 pm Cyclone Eloise, which is predicted to make landfall near Beira in the north of Mozambique this weekend of 23 and 24 January, may result in flooding in parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. During the summer months the heat is often interrupted by a short thunderstorm which is usually a welcome respite from the sometimes extreme heat of the day. The rainfall season lasts an average of four months. Limpopo Weather and Climate. Therefore, the ideal and most popular time of the year for hunting safaris is between April and September. Plus animals don’t need to come to rivers and waterholes so much to drink. The chance of a wet day peaks at 41% on December 2.. Polokwane, the capital city of the province, is situated at roughly the centre of Limpopo. The climate in the Limpopo Province is quite hot since the area is bisected by the tropic of Capricorn. Although the expected above-normal rainfall conditions might bring some relief it may not be enough for provinces like Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, where some dam levels are below … Rainfall also varies significantly from year to year (CPWF 2003). Abstract. Rainfall in Botswana is caused mainly by convection thunderstorms, which typically occur . For maps showing the mean temperatures in January and July for the Limpopo River basin, please refer to the Climate Variability section of this chapter. * 24 January 2021 Heavy rain and wind is forecast for parts of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. During the period 1949–2014, maximum rainfall figures of 452 mm, 394 mm and 211 mm were received in January, February and December respectively. Moisture sources and pathways over the Limpopo River Basin (LRB) in southern Africa were identified using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model applied to NCEP II (2.5° × 2.5°) reanalysis data for 1981–2016. As a result, streamflow can vary considerably. The wetter season lasts 4.8 months, from November 1 to March 25, with a greater than 22% chance of a given day being a wet day. These characteristics of the rainy season are of considerable interest to farmers, water resource managers and other user groups. Average annual rainfall across the Limpopo River basin. Nine months of the season had minimum rainfall figures of zero millimetres while other months which include November, December and February had minimum figures of 4.4 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.3 mm respectively. Days with frost can vary from 30 days in Tzaneen (South Africa) and Mahalapye (Botswana) to as high as 120 days in Mafeking (South Africa) and Lobatse(Botswana) (FAO 2004; CGIAR 2003). Visitors from cooler countries usually prefer to visit in winter when the province continues to experience plenty of sunshine but the air itself is a bit cooler. 3.1 Description of the study area. Game Lodges; Specials; Car Hire; Search ; Search. For this purpose, monthly total rainfall was interpolated from daily rainfall data from weather stations. For the more adventurous and robust hunter, we offer all year hunting. 7. Due to the flat terrain, high temperatures, low humidity and rainfall, rainfall generally has to exceed 20 to 30 mm in a single event before runoff can occur. Based on weather reports collected during 2005–2015. Rainfall events are highly episodic and intense, usually associated with convective thunderstorms (SARDC 2002). High rates of evapotranspiration ensure that most of the rainfall does not contribute to river flow or groundwater recharge. October to March. 2001; FAO 2004). 5. Summers are hot (very hot) and dry, while … season. 32% of rainfall in the 2007/08 season but as much as Two different flood types were observed, probably 56% in the drier 2006/07 season. 4. The Western Cape is a winter rainfall area. There is no doubt that the beach at Salt Rock is the main attraction, but for those who want to enjoy a game of tennis or squash, the Salt Rock Country Club is the place to be. Highs range from 92.2°F (33.4°C) and 82.9°F (28.3°C) with colder temperatures in the later months. According to SAWS, more heavy rain is expected to hit Limpopo and Mpumalanga on Sunday night into Monday. In Mozambique, the Limpopo River swelled up to 20 km wide in some sections, inundating farmland and drowning more than 20,000 cattle. The Limpopo Province is situated in the northernmost corner of the South Africa. The climate in the Limpopo Province is quite hot since the area is bisected by the tropic of Capricorn. 3. Located north of Shaka's Rock and Ballito on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast, the charming seaside town of Salt Rock offers the perfect family holiday destination. A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. S and Longitude: 25 – 350 . °F. These values vary with elevation and proximity to the Indian Ocean (FAO 2004). Data for the project is available upon request from the authors on [email protected]. Finding itself at South Africa’s northernmost area and bisected by the tropic of Capricorn, visitors to Limpopo can expect sunshine, long summer afternoons and dry days for most of their stay. The rainfall season lasts an average of four months. The overall conditions of the country has warm, sunny days and cool nights. The staple crop maize is especially sensitive to dry spells during the early growing season. Moisture sources and pathways over the Limpopo River Basin (LRB) in southern Africa were identified using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model applied to NCEP II (2.5° × 2.5°) reanalysis data for 1981–2016. Limpopo, South Africa - Average Annual Weather - Holiday Weather Limpopo, South Africa: Annual Weather Averages January is the hottest month in Limpopo with an average temperature of 22.5°C (73°F) and the coldest is June at 12.5°C (55°F). The rainfall is highly seasonal and unevenly distributed spatially, with about 95% occurring between October and April and typically concentrated in a number of isolated rain days and in isolated locations.The rainfall characteristics limit crop production because annual rainfall mainly occurs during a short summer rain season with high inter-annual variations. Johan Malherbe, Willem A. Landman, Francois A. Engelbrecht, The bi-decadal rainfall cycle, Southern Annular Mode and tropical cyclones over the Limpopo River Basin, southern Africa, Climate Dynamics, 10.1007/s00382-013-2027-y, 42, 11-12, (3121-3138), (2014). Generally, the seasonal rainfall onset and cessation are changing, making the rainfall season length shorter. The precipitation chart is useful to plan for seasonal effects such as monsoon climate in India or wet season in Africa. Rainfall vari- Note: Simulated precipitation amounts in tropical regions and complex terrain tend … The rainfall characteristics are changing gradually in the humid zone, where it was found that there is a marked change in the onset dates between what it used to be before the 1990s and how it has been since. Moisture sources associated with heavy rainfall over the Limpopo River Basin, southern Africa. However, the multi-model rainfall forecast for mid-summer (Dec-Jan-Feb) and late-summer (Jan-Feb-Mar) indicate drier conditions in the north eastern parts of the country. During this period, landfalling systems that cause high rainfall totals over the Limpopo River Basin only occur during the three-month season of January through March (JFM – Malherbe et al. The rainfall in southern Africa has a large inter-annual variability, which can cause rain-fed agriculture to fail. Please help us out and disable your ad-blocker. However, it can get a bit hot during the summer months which are between October and March each year. Overall Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park Travel Experience by Season Fall (March through May) Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. These rainfall characteristics limit crop production because annual rainfall mainly occurs during a short summer rain season with high interannual variations. The highest rainfall per sub-basin can be found in the Upper Olifants River, in South Africa and the lower reaches of the main-stem Limpopo River in Mozambique (LBPTC 2010). By clicking Agree you are accepting Terms of Service. September 2020 ; Climate Dynamics 55(4) DOI: 10.1007/s00382-020-05336-w. The importance of caused by different runoff generation processes, influ- interception is reflected in significantly improved per- enced by catchment antecedent soil moisture. ‘Generally the first rain falls after the agricultural season between October and December, followed by consistent fall, which marks the beginning of the ploughing season. In a year, the rainfall is 450 mm | 17.7 inch. Limpopo tends to be warmer than Waterberg because the Waterberg is higher in altitude and also further south (away from the equator). During this time, the temperature can average about 27º C. When you head out of town towards the lowveld, you will find that summer weather becomes even more extreme with towns such as Phalaborwa experiencing temperatures as high as 45º C. However, this is more the exception than the rule and visitors to the spectacular Kruger National Park are more likely to have the mercury rise to about 30º C in the summer months. single month. The map below shows the average annual precipitation patterns for the Limpopo River basin per sub-basin (LBPTC 2010). Some provinces have summer rainfall, with warm days and cooling showers in the late afternoon. The climatic patterns of the Limpopo River basin are discussed below in terms of: While a region of relatively low rainfall, the majority of the precipitation occurring in the Limpopo River basin falls within a short window, during the summer months (FAO 2004), with approximately 95 % falling between October and April and a rainfall concentration index for the basin of 60 % (100% indicates all rainfall occurring in one month; FAO 2004). The climate conditions in South Africa ranges from desert and semi-desert in the north west of … Long-term climate trends observed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), indicate that average temperatures across Africa are increasing, with an average increase of 0.7°C in the last 100 years (FAO 2004). During the long rainy season, rain comes in heavy but short afternoon downpours. South Africa Climate: Monthly Temp & Rainfall Chart. However, the multi-model rainfall forecast for mid-summer (Dec-Jan-Feb) and late-summer (Jan-Feb-Mar) indicate drier conditions in the north eastern parts of the country. The average annual rainfall for the island is 86 inches (2,200 mm). Annual rainfall varies between 250 mm in the hot, dry western and central areas to 1,050 mm in the high-rainfall eastern escarpment areas. Recently the first rain falls in late November to late December, and if by this time it has not fallen, we may not experience any rainfall for the year. By Byron Latham. The rainfall season lasts an average of four months. Interception is an important process in the water balance of the catchment, accounting for an estimated 32% of rainfall in the 2007/08 season, but as much as 56% in the drier 2006/07 season. Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos from AccuWeather.com The least rain falls around July 31, with an average total accumulation of 0.1 inches. There is also another cold front on its way to meet this Eloise eye to eye. Keywords: dry spells, ecotope, Limpopo, semi-arid, temporal rainfall analysis Introduction Climate plays an important role in biomass production. Polokwane (previously known as Pietersburg), the capital city of Limpopo, lies more or less in the centre of the Limpopo province and its weather is reflective of most of it. The climate conditions in South Africa ranges from desert and semi-desert in the north west of the country to sub-tropical on the eastern coastline. No part of this site shall be reproduced, copied, or otherwise distributed without the express, written consent of SouthAfrica.com. Annual and seasonal trends, as well as cross-correlation analyses, were performed on time series of monthly total rainfall and monthly malaria cases in five districts of Limpopo Province for the period of 1998 to 2017. This rapid cooling induces rain to fall on the windward side of the area of relief. The sparkling blue swimming pool at the Salt Rock ... All trademarks and web sites that appear throughout this site are the property of their respective owners. Limpopo basin. Related Videos. Evapotranspiration across the basin is high relative to rainfall, with values ranging from 1 000 mm/yr in the southern part of the basin to 2 000 mm/yr in the north. • To Generate daily rainfall estimates over the Limpopo basin using satellite based rainfall estimation methods, and • To validate the satellite based rainfall estimates over the Limpopo basin. During the winter months, frost is common at higher elevations, and in the southwestern and western basin (Botswana and South Africa). For this purpose, monthly total rainfall was interpolated from daily rainfall data from weather stations. Warmer, western and central regions of the basin experience between 2 600 and 3 100 mm/yr, with the greatest intensity in the Limpopo River valley itself (Ashton et al. Rain is rare with 0 to 6 days of significant precipitation per month. increased chances of above-normal rainfall in the summer rainfall areas during the summer season. The wettest month is November with an average of 100… The Limpopo Province is named for the long, winding Limpopo River which winds its way through the province providing nourishment to the surrounding flora. Other Countries . Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa. Those who choose to visit this northern tip of the country will find that they can enjoy long sunny days and dry weather on most days. The climate in the Limpopo Province is quite hot since the area is bisected by the tropic of Capricorn. During the dry season very little rainfall occurs. Zimbabwe has four seasons: Last 2 weeks of weather Limpopo Weather & Climate (+ Climate Chart) Education Details: Winter and summer in Limpopo (which correspond to the Dry and Wet season, respectively) are experienced at the opposite times of year as in Europe and North America.The wet summer months (October to April) are hot and humid. The average annual temperature is 21.2 °C | 70.2 °F in Hoedspruit. Botswana Lesotho Mozambique Namibia Swaziland Zimbabwe Zambia. The rainy season for most of the country is in the summer which is November through to March. Eastern Cape Free State Gauteng KwaZulu-Natal Limpopo Mpumalanga North West Northern Cape Western Cape. Home » South African Geo Guide » Limpopo Province – Natural Beauty and Cultural and Historical Heritage » The Climate of Limpopo Province. The map below (left) shows the average temperatures for the Limpopo River basin. During this time of the year the days usually start with a chill in the air which progresses to a warm midday and cool, dry afternoon. The Limpopo Province’s rain season usually varies between November and March. formance of HBVx once this routine is introduced. Considering that the rainfall season in the study area is historically between December and March, peak vegetation growth, therefore, occurs towards the end of the DJF as shown by the seasonal variability of VCI (Figure 5b). Mean annual evapotranspiration for the Limpopo River basin. This site is not affiliated with any government entity associated with a name similar to the site domain name. During the summer months the heat is often interrupted by a short thunderstorm which is usually a welcome respite from the sometimes extreme heat of the day. The chance of wet days in Thohoyandou varies significantly throughout the year. Rainfall concentrates in one rainy season, largely controlled by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, which means that most of the rainfall is received in the months December, January and Febru-ary (DJF). Limpopo Extended Forecast with high and low temperatures. According to SAWS, more heavy rain is expected to hit Limpopo and Mpumalanga on… After good rain season in Northern Limpopo. The majority of precipitation falls as rain, with localised snowfall on the higher peaks of the Drakensberg mountains during colder, winter months. ... End of dry season in Waterberg & Limpopo. The average rainfall through the island chain ranges from 51.55 inches (1,309 mm) at Annually to 37.79 inches (960 mm) at East Hill. Next: Climate of the Limpopo River Basin: Climatic Variability, Climate of the Limpopo River Basin: Climatic Patterns. And while it’s not expected to affect Gauteng, emergency response teams have been placed on alert. Methodology . This is not the best season for safari as the bush is lush and verdant so it’s harder to spot the game.