The minister of energy and meteorology, Mohapi Mohapinyane, today announced the climate outlook for the next coming six months.
Mohapinyane said the 2020/2021 rainfall season is likely to be influenced by the weak La Nina which is a cooling in the Pacific Ocean associated with enhanced precipitation occurrence over the country.
He explained that the country is expected to receive normal rains for the period of October 2020 to March 2021 with a likelihood of above normal rainfall. He said, however, dry episodes are still expected between the good rains.
“Normal temperatures are anticipated for the period of October 2020 to March 2021 with high chances of rising above average. Occurrences of strong winds, lightning, severe thunderstorms, flash floods and hailstorms are common weather phenomena in summer.
“Climate change is expected to exacerbate these conditions, resulting in increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events,” he said.
