A less hot summer expected for the Lowveld

This is according to Dr Johan Malherbe, a senior researcher at the Agricultural Research Council.

“During the last few weeks, the hottest period in the Mbombela region was between November 6 and November 9, when maximum temperatures exceeded 35°C and approached 40°C,” said Malherbe.

“These are similar to what was experienced November last year, but October this year was on average about 2° cooler than October 2019.

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“Moreover, the highest maximum temperature experienced during October 2019 was 41°C whilst only 37.5 this year October,” said Malherbe.

He said according to current seasonal forecasts, based on an expectation of a relatively wet mid- to late summer, it is expected that temperatures on average during the next few months will be in the normal to below-normal range. 

“It should therefore, if such a forecast pans out, be somewhat cooler than last year,” he said.

Malherbe added that while this year’s summer might be a little cooler, the Lowveld was definitely one of the hottest places to be in Mpumalanga.

“Broadly speaking, in Mpumalanga, the hottest area on average is the Lowveld. 

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River valleys cutting through the escarpment are also relatively warm compared to the surrounding higher-lying areas (Crocodile River Valley and Olifants River Valley),” said Malherbe.

“In the Lowveld the hottest areas are those closest to the Mozambique border, such as Komatipoort in the Crocodile River Valley as well as some of the camps in the Kruger National Park, mostly situated on the river valleys, such as Skukuza and Sabie.

“Given its location in the Crocodile River Valley, Mbombela is also somewhat hotter than the areas to the north and south, but somewhat cooler than the hottest areas in the river valleys towards the Mozambique border,” he said.