South Africa: SAWS Warns of Very Strong El Niño and Hotter, Drier Spring Conditions
SAWS said the event could become the strongest in living memory, with below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures expected across most of the country.
- The South African Weather Service reported on Tuesday that the developing weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean could become the strongest event in living memory, bringing below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures to South Africa.
- A strong weather pattern occurs when sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean exceed 1.5 degrees above normal; historically, events in 1982/83 and 2015/16 caused widespread droughts and unprecedented heatwaves in the region.
- Forecasts for October to December 2026 and November 2026 to January 2027 point to drier, warmer conditions over most of South Africa. If these patterns hold, SAWS expects a high frequency of severe heatwaves to co-occur across the country.
- SAWS will monitor the extent of expected heatwaves and water scarcity, communicating updates to disaster management structures and weather-sensitive industries. The public is advised to "follow the monthly seasonal forecast updates and daily short-term weather forecasts" to prepare for high-impact weather.
- Combining the very strong 2026/27 event with global warming, SAWS warned that 2027 could become the warmest year ever recorded, though uncertainty remains regarding the event's final strength and regional impacts.
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South Africa: SAWS Warns of Very Strong El Niño and Hotter, Drier Spring Conditions
[SAnews.gov.za] The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned that South Africa is likely to experience below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures this spring as a strong El Niño event develops in the Pacific Ocean.
SA faces hotter, drier summer as ‘very strong’ El Niño threatens to intensify
South Africa is heading into a potentially hotter and drier summer, with SAWS warning that an exceptionally strong El Niño could trigger severe heatwaves, below-normal rainfall and mounting water shortages.
South Africa could see hottest year on record in 2027 amid strong El Nino
Cape Town: South Africa could face its hottest year on record in 2027 amid an intensifying strong El Nino event, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has said. In a statement, SAWS said a strong El Nino had formed in the Pacific Ocean and was likely to intensify during the Southern Hemisphere spring. "The latest predictions are indicative that the El Nino will likely intensify further to become the strongest event in living memory," it said.…
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