The summer-grain production areas will be mild to cool for this time of the year, benefitting from above-normal rainfall expected across the country (except for the west coast and far western interior where little to no rain is expected). Due to the position of an upper-air low early in the period, scattered to widespread thundershowers are possible over the southern to southwestern parts of the country too, including the Karoo and winter rainfall region, where little to no rain occurred during October.
The following is a summary of weather conditions during the next few days: General:
• Temperatures will on average be near normal, but below normal over the eastern to northeastern interior.
• There will be mild to cool, cloudy conditions at times over the central to eastern parts. These will also at times include the central to eastern summer grain-production region.
• Rainfall will be above normal over most of the country, including the summer-grain production region.
• It will be dry over the west coast and far western interior.
• Scattered to widespread showers and thundershowers will occur over the central to southern and southwestern parts until Thursday, spreading eastwards to focus on the central to northeastern parts from Friday to Saturday. • Scattered showers and thundershowers are possible over the southwestern parts, on Wednesday and Thursday, with lighter falls also possible over the southwestern winter rainfall region.
• Current forecasts indicate drier weather across the country by Sunday, but another system may result in a redevelopment of showers and thundershowers over most of the summer rainfall region later Monday.
• Cumulative multi-day rainfall totals (until early next week) may exceed 50 mm over extensive areas, covering most of the central to eastern and southeastern parts.
• While there isn’t a particularly strong indication for widespread severe storms over the country, some thundershowers may produce hail and strong winds given the time of year, occasional intrusion of dry air from the west as well as atmospheric wind and temperature profiles supportive of thunderstorm development.
• The western to central interior will remain windy initially, especially in the afternoons.
• Strong south-easterlies are expected in the southwest on several days.
• Thundershowers will occur on most days over the summer-grain production region and cloud cover will subdue maximum temperatures: o Maximum temperatures over the eastern maize-production areas will be in the order of 20 – 28°C. Minimum temperatures will be in the order of 10 – 16°C. o Maximum temperatures over the western maize-production region will range between 24 and 32°C. Minimums will be in the order of 13 – 19°C.
