The Cape Town City (Oranjezicht) weather service station recorded the highest monthly rainfall since records began in 1960, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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This is according to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), which recorded 317.6mm of rain in July, far exceeding the historical average of 128mm for the month.
‘In contrast, the previous year saw only 81.8mm of rain in July, highlighting the major difference in rainfall between these two years,’ it said.
‘Additionally, the Cape Town International Airport station recorded the highest monthly rainfall total since the station’s inception in July 1956, exceeding three times the average for July.
‘This remarkable record underscores the intensity and impact of the multiple cold fronts experienced throughout the month.’
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A further analysis of rainfall stations managed by the Cape Town weather office revealed that some stations broke long-standing records for average rainfall during July.
‘For example, the station in Newlands at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens received over 500mm of rain for July, making it the wettest month on record for this station since 1999.
‘The stations in Franschhoek, Kenilworth and Villiersdorp, with records dating back to the late 2000s, also reported significant rainfall for the month. These three stations set new records since their inception, even surpassing the total monthly rainfall recorded during the September storm of 2023,’ it added.
‘Additionally, the Cape Winelands stations, including Paarl, Worcester and Jonkershoek, have experienced substantial rainfall this winter season, with long-term monthly records being broken in these areas last month.’
The SAWS said the fluctuations in weather patterns underscored the importance of preparedness among communities. ‘Widespread damage was reported from the start of July well into the month, including strong winds that blew off roofing and minor disruptive hail reported on July 7 in Stellenbosch’s Helshoogte Pass.
‘As usual, thick blankets of snow covered the mountainous areas of the Western Cape, bringing shivering temperatures during this period.’
The total rainfall received for July 2024 for the stations under the Cape Town Weather Office is as follows:
Automatic Weather Stations
- Cape Columbine: 96.8mm
- Paarl: 455.6mm
- Langebaanweg: 96.6mm
- Malmesbury: 201.6mm
- Langgewens: 227.8mm
- Porterville: 130.0mm
- Robertson: 79.0mm
- Excelsior: 261.2mm
- Atlantis: 191.2mm
- Wellington: 280.6mm
- Geelbek: 158.8mm
- Robben Island: 233.2mm
- Cape Town Harbour: 215.6mm
- Cape Town City: 317.6mm
- SAAO/Observatory: 316.8mm
- Worcester: 209.2mm
- Jonkershoek: 418.0mm
- Slangkop/Kommetjie: 259.3mm
- Cape Point: 89.0mm
- Hermanus: 144.8mm
- Grootbakenskop Overberg: 147.8mm
- Cape Agulhas: 100.4mm
- Struisbaai: 151.2mm
- Swellendam: 103.4mm
- Tygerhoek/Riviersonderend: 120.8mm
- Grabouw: 468.6mm
Automatic Rainfall Stations
- Bellville Golf Course: 308.8mm
- Bredasdorp Klipdale Agri: 123.4mm
- Dbv – Blaauwblommetjieskloof: 222.2mm
- Elim SAPS: 225.1mm
- Franschhoek: 619.2mm
- Genadendal Meulrivier: 171.0mm
- Kenilworth Race Course: 563.2mm
- Mitchell’s Plain Wolfgat: 46.8mm
- Montagu – Baden: 36.8mm
- Robertson – Heartstone Vineyard: 77.4mm
- Saldahna Kuspatrollie: 144.2mm
- Stanford Walker Bay Vineyard: 172.4mm
- Swellendam – Marloth: 108.4mm
- Swellendam – Napkykmond: 104.2mm
- Tulbagh – Obiqau: 259.4mm
- Villiersdorp – SOS: 499.0mm
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