More significant and extensive rainfall is however expected during the coming weekend, focusing on the northeastern half of the summer rainfall region and including the summer-grain production region. Scattered to widespread thundershowers are expected as an upper-air trough moves through during the weekend. Following the system, current forecasts indicate a return to typical mid-summer conditions with isolated to scattered thundershowers over the summer rainfall region, but no intense system causing widespread heavy rainfall at this stage according to forecast models, after the weekend. Large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns are not expected to be particularly favorable for widespread rainfall during the remainder of next week according to current forecasts and it should be somewhat warmer with only isolated to scattered thundershowers over the central to eastern parts.
The following is a summary of weather conditions during the next few days: General:
• Temperatures will on average be near normal, but above normal over the central to northwestern interior. • Westerly to southerly winds will keep the western to southern interior dry on most days.
• Rainfall will be normal to above-normal over the northeastern half of the country, but below normal over the southwestern parts.
• Scattered to widespread thundershowers are expected over the central to eastern parts during the weekend, including the summer-grain production region. Significant daily totals are possible over parts of the Highveld and into northern KZN according to current forecasts.
• The southeastern coastal areas and adjacent interior will experience mild to cool and cloudy conditions with rain or showers on most days.
• The southern to southeastern interior and coast will be mild to cool until Sunday.
• It will be windy on several days over the southern and western parts. • While there isn’t a particularly strong indication for widespread severe storms over the country, some thundershowers over the summer rainfall region may produce hail and strong winds given the time of year together with the periodic intrusion of dry air from the west.
• Over the summer-grain production region, wetter conditions will coincide with somewhat lower maximum temperatures on average than during the previous week, while minimum temperatures are expected to be somewhat higher: o Maximum temperatures over the eastern maize-production areas will be in the order of 21 – 29°C, with coolest conditions expected during the weekend when rainfall will be more widespread. Minimum temperatures will be in the order of 11 – 18°C. o Maximum temperatures over the western maize-production region will range between 25 and 33°C. Minimums will be in the order of 15 – 21°C.
