SEVERAL places in the Eastern Cape have recorded one of their hottest Junes on record for the past 20 years.
“In fact in Port Elizabeth the average maximum temperature of 22.5 C was an all-time record since records started in 1950,” said Garth Sampson, from the South African Weather Serivice’s Client Liaison Officer (Eastern Cape Region).
“It surpassed the record of 22.1 C, which was recorded in 1996.This is almost a full two degrees higher than the average of 20.7C.”
East London also recorded a record high average maximum temperature of 24.1C which was also the highest since 1950.
Other record average Maximum temperatures were:
Fort Beaufort 24.3C, highest since 2000
Bisho 22.9C, highest since 2000
Patensie 23.6C second highest since 2000
Middleton 23.5C, highest since 2000
Addo 25.5C, highest since 2005
Grahamstown 20.8C, second highest since 2000
“The main reason for this is the relatively cloudless conditions and the lowered number and intensity of frontal system passing over the region.
“In fact East London recorded the highest average sunshine hours for June at 8.6 hours, while Port Elizabeth’s average of 8.2 hours was second highest since 2000 when the average for June was 8.5 hours.”
With regard to rainfall, Port Elizabeth recorded less than half of the average rainfall of 53mm, with only 23mm being measured during June.
“This dropped the total rainfall for the first six months of the year to 219mm. Although disappointing, as it is well below the average of 280mm, it does show some promise, as it is the best figure recorded since 2015, when 301mm was measured for the same period.
“This ties in with the seasonal forecast that is maintaining its forecast of normal to above normal rainfall in the areas west of Port Elizabeth, for the next few months.
“To the east it persists with a dry winter, which is normal for those areas,” said Sampson.
