The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has reported record-breaking rainfall in Cape Town for July 2024, marking a significant shift from the previous month’s dry conditions.
Also read: Cape Town traffic officer run over by school transport driver
Despite a slow start to the winter rainfall season and below-normal rainfall in June, July saw a dramatic increase in precipitation due to a series of powerful cold fronts that swept across the region.
According to SAWS, the Cape Town City station in Oranjezicht recorded an impressive 317.6mm of rain in July 2024, which is more than double the long-term average of 128.0mm for that month. This amount is not only well above the historical average but also sets a new record for the highest rainfall in July since records began in 1960. For comparison, July 2023 saw only 81.8mm of rain, highlighting the significant difference between the two years.
Explore Cape Town and its surroundings with these incredible deals on cars for under R100 000. Find car listings here.
Additionally, the Cape Town International Airport station recorded its highest monthly rainfall since the station was established in July 1956, with totals exceeding three times the average for the month. This new record reflects the intensity of the cold fronts that passed through the region during July.
Other weather stations managed by the Cape Town Weather Office also reported well above-average rainfall for the month, with several breaking long-standing records. For instance, the Newlands station at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens recorded over 500mm of rain, making July 2024 the wettest month for the station since 1999. Stations in Franschhoek, Kenilworth, and Villiersdorp, all with records dating back to the late 2000s, also reported significant rainfall.
The Cape Winelands stations, including those in Paarl, Worcester, and Jonkershoek, similarly experienced substantial rainfall, breaking long-term monthly records in July.
SAWS highlighted that this sudden shift from dry to wet conditions underscores the complexity of the region’s climate and the importance of accurate forecasting. The increase in rainfall serves as a reminder of SAWS’s crucial role in helping communities prepare for and adapt to changing weather patterns.
The weather service also reported widespread damage throughout July, including strong winds that caused roofing damage and minor hailstorms in Stellenbosch’s Helshoogte Pass on 7 July.
As is typical for the season, heavy snowfall blanketed the mountainous areas of the Western Cape, bringing freezing temperatures to the region.
Also read:
Picture: Jess Vujovic /GroundUp
CapeTown ETC
www.capetownetc.com