vf-tropicom Meteorological Analysis for South Africa
Current season | Back to historical analysis page
Seasonal Vegetation Index - 2002/2003

Seasonal vegetative index

Seasonal Rainfall - 2002/2003
in mm

Seasonal rainfall

Current season | Back to historical analysis page

Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis
Southern Africa - 2002/2003

From the African Desk, Climate Prediction Center, NOAA
Note: This information should be used with caution.
Weather data based on preliminary reports.

  • July 2003 - Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across most locations. Across Western Cape, cool season rainfall has been below normal. This was the case during July as well, with a few exceptions (6-45 mm; 39-112 % of normal). >
  • July 21-31 2003 - Showers benefited winter wheat across Western Cape province in South Africa (2-12 mm; 19-70 % of normal). Showers fell along the east coast of Madagascar (3-140 mm; 31-182 % of normal). Elsewhere, conditions were seasonably dry. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal across South Africa, and 2 to 6 degrees Celsius below normal across Zimbabwe.
  • July 11-20 2003 - Seasonably dry weather prevailed, with temperatures again on the cool side, averaging 2 to 5 degrees C below normal from Zimbabwe into Zambia. Rainfall was light to negligible across South Africa’s Cape Province. Little rain has fallen this month, following abnormally dry weather in June. Much of the Cape Province has been persistently dry. April-June cumulative rainfall in the northern portions of the Cape totaled under 50 percent of normal.
  • July 1-10 2003 - Unseasonably cool weather extended from central South Africa through Zimbabwe into Zambia, with readings averaging 2 to 5 degrees C below normal. Rainfall was seasonably light.
  • June 2003 - Sasonably dry weather prevailed except for the southeast, where abnormal rains late in the month contributed to above-normal totals for southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, and eastern South Africa. Southwestern South Africa was unusually dry, with negligible rain amounts. Temperatures averaged slightly above normal across western and northern parts of the region and near normal elsewhere.
  • June 21-30 2003 - Unseasonably heavy showers hit southern Mozambique, which saw as much as 173 mm (over 1,000 percent of normal) along the coast. Abnormal rains for this time of the year (20-60 mm, over 600 percent of normal) also fell in eastern Zimbabwe. The remainder of the region was seasonably dry. Cool weather extended from Zimbabwe into Zambia and Malawi, with temperatures averaging 2 to 6 degrees C below normal.
  • June 11-20 2003 - Increased moderate rains (38-168 mm; 72-338%) continued over the eastern coast of Madagascar, while light to moderate rains (1-69 mm; 12-564%) fell along the southern and eastern coasts of South Africa and along the coast of Mozambique. Isolated light rains of up to 14 mm were also recorded over eastern Zimbabwe while seasonable dryness prevailed elsewhere. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal across the region, except over Namibia and western South Africa, where they averaged 1 to 6 degrees C above normal.
  • June 1-10 2003 - A passing cold front caused light to moderate rains (1-79 mm; 15-500%) over southern and northeastern parts of South Africa and along the coast of Mozambique. The rains also spread to Botswana and Zimbabwe with parts of northern Botswana recording as high as 122 mm. Light to moderate rains (7 to 97 mm; 14-118%) also fell over the eastern coast of Madagascar, while seasonable dryness prevailed elsewhere. Most parts of Madagascar, Mozambique, Botswana, and Namibia recorded temperature departures of 1 to 3 degrees C above normal. Elsewhere, temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal.
  • May 2003 - Most parts remained generally dry following the withdrawal of the seasonal rains. Rainfall totals were less than 50 mm across most of the region, including the crop growing areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique. However, the late development of tropical cyclone “Manou” in southwestern Indian Ocean caused moderate to heavy rainfall (170-571 mm; 94-258% of normal) over the eastern coast of Madagascar.
  • May 21-31 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over most of the region. However, moderate to heavy rains (25-200 mm; 90-306% of normal) fell locally along the central and southern portions of the east coast of Madagascar. Light to moderate rains (1-69 mm; 49-346%) fell over the Western and parts of the Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Most parts of Madagascar and Mozambique recorded temperature departures of 1 to 2 degrees C above normal. Elsewhere, temperature averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal.
  • May 11-20 2003 - Seasonable dryness prevailed over most of the region. However, moderate to heavy rains (65-226 mm; 111-263% of normal) continued along the east coast of Madagascar as tropical cyclone “Manou” in southwestern Indian Ocean approached. Most of the rains fell in the beginning of the period but reduced thereafter when the cyclone decayed. Light rains (1-64 mm; 5-611% of normal) fell over northern and interior eastern Madagascar, eastern coast of South Africa and central coast of Mozambique. Seasonable dryness prevailed over the rest of the region. Most parts of Zambia and Malawi continued to record high temperature departures (3-6 degrees C) below normal. Elsewhere, they averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal except in Madagascar and Mozambique, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
  • May 1-10 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (87-238 mm; 114-281%) occurred along the east coast of Madagascar following the late development of tropical cyclone “Manou” in southwestern Indian Ocean. Light to moderate rains (1-94 mm; 5-482%) fell over northern Madagascar, southern coast of South Africa and central coast of Mozambique. Seasonable dryness prevailed over the rest of the region. High temperature departures ( 3-8 degrees C) below normal were recorded over most parts of Zambia. Elsewhere, they averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal except along the east coast of Madagascar, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
  • April 2003 - Persistent dryness worsened crop prospects across the region. Rainfall totals ranged between 2 and 55 mm (1-54% of normal) across the crop growing areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique. The exceptions were a few pockets in northern Botswana, northern Namibia, and southern Malawi, where rainfall totals ranged between 28 and 55 mm (84-183% of normal).
  • April 21-30 2003 - As the rainy season continues its normal withdrawal, dry conditions once again prevailed over the northern part of the region, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Malawi. Rainfall was light (1-6 mm; 4-39% of normal) over the Free State and parts of the Northern Cape provinces of South Africa, while light to moderate rains (1-35 mm; 8-238% of normal) fell over the Kwazulu/Natal and parts of Swaziland. Light to moderate rains also fell over Western Cape as mid-latitude synoptic systems moved across the area. Moderate to heavy rains soaked the northern and southern coasts of Madagascar, while dry conditions prevailed in the west. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light rains (1-25 mm) over northwestern Angola, while dry conditions prevailed in most of the country. Temperature departures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal over South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. They were 1 to 3 degrees C below normal over the remainder of the region.
  • April 11-20 2003 - The withdrawal of the rainy season continued as most areas recorded rainfall amounts below 100 mm. However, light to moderate rains (43-116 mm) eased dryness over central Namibia and southwestern Botswana. Elsewhere, light to moderate rains (12-126 mm) fell over central Mozambique, along the eastern coasts of South Africa and Madagascar. Most of the rains fell within the first half of the period with the remainder of the period being generally dry. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm) over the western half of Angola, while dryness prevailed over Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and most of Mozambique. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal across the region, except in South Africa and along the coast of Angola and Namibia where temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C above normal. Near normal temperatures were recorded over most of Mozambique.
  • April 1-10 2003 - As the rainy season began to wind down, there was generally a marked reduction in rainfall compared to the previous 10-day period. However, moderate to heavy rains of 38-236 mm (109-999% of normal) fell over northern and southern Madagascar. Most of these rains were mainly experienced in the first half of the period. Some stations in western Madagascar recorded as high as 110 mm in a single day. Light to moderate rains (up to 99 mm; 174% of normal) fell over central and southern Malawi, while locally light rains (1-53 mm) fell over most of Zambia, northern Botswana, northwestern Zimbabwe, northern Mozambique and southeastern parts of South Africa. Dry conditions prevailed over Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness over southern Angola and along the coast. Rainfall estimates were moderate to high (50-100 mm) over the central and northwestern parts of the country. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region, except in Zimbabwe, Malawi and parts of Zambia, where temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal. Near normal temperatures were recorded over most of Madagascar.
  • March 2003 - There were marked contrasts in rainfall anomalies, as southern areas saw relatively dry conditions and southeastern areas experienced heavy rains. Due partly to the impacts from Cyclone Japhet early in the month, March rainfall totaled over 150 mm (250-500% of normal) in southeastern Zimbabwe and south-central Mozambique. Heavy rains also fell in northwestern Mozambique and central and southern Malawi (250-300 mm; 200-300% of normal). With the late-month torrential rains hitting central Mozambique, monthly totals there ranged from 300 to 600 mm. Beira, Mozambique, measured an estimated sum of 663 mm this month. To the south, less than 50% of normal rains fell across northern South Africa and much of Botswana, Angola, Namibia and Swaziland. Extreme southern Mozambique saw similar rainfall deficits. As a result, drought persisted from eastern and northern Botswana into western Zimbabwe and south to northern South Africa, southern Mozambique and Swaziland. Much of this region recorded cumulative summer rainfall from November to March of 40 to 60% of normal. Northern and eastern parts of South Africa’s maize triangle are included in the dry area. Heavy rains also visited parts of Madagascar in March, as totals reached 350 to 560 mm (150-200% of normal) in some central and northern locations. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C below normal from Zimbabwe to Malawi and near normal elsewhere.
  • March 21-31 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (52-472 mm; 97-624% of normal) fell over northern and eastern Madagascar, northern and central Mozambique, southern Malawi and the southern coast of South Africa. Most of these rains fell in the first half of the period. Torrential rains struck the central coast of Mozambique, with Beira reporting 472 mm, including 253 mm on the 27th alone. Some stations in Madagascar recorded daily rainfall as high as 117 mm. The western parts of Madagascar, most of Zambia and parts of Zimbabwe experienced light to moderately heavy rains of 11-83 mm (62-425%). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that northern Angola also realized light to moderate rains, but up to 150 mm fell locally. Most of Namibia, Botswana, southern Angola and South Africa remained generally dry. However, there were isolated cases of light rains of 1-42 mm over Botswana and South Africa. Temperatures across most of the region averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal except in eastern parts of Mozambique and South Africa and western Madagascar, where temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal. Most of Madagascar recorded near normal temperatures.
  • March 11-20 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (62-311 mm; 97-354% of normal) fell over eastern Madagascar and the eastern coast of South Africa. The northeastern parts of Mozambique, southern Malawi and most of the eastern sector of South Africa experienced moderately heavy rains of 31-133 mm (92-491%). The western parts of Madagascar and southern regions of South Africa recorded light rains of 1-28 mm. However, there were isolated cases where rainfall ranged between 50 and 60 mm within the same areas. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that most parts of Angola, Namibia, Botswana and the western parts of South Africa remained dry. This month has been unusually dry in southern Angola, western Zambia, and northern Namibia, as the rainy season appears to have ended early in this region. Most parts of Zambia, Zimbabwe and central and southern Mozambique were also generally dry with isolated cases of light rains of 1-20 mm. As a result, drought continued from eastern Botswana into western Zimbabwe, northern South Africa, Swaziland and southern Mozambique. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across Angola, Namibia, Botswana, the western half of Madagascar and the eastern sector of South Africa. Temperatures over Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and the western sector of South Africa were generally 1 to 5 degrees C below normal. Most of Mozambique recorded near normal temperatures.
  • March 1-10 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (52-373 mm; 84-603% of normal) resulting from Tropical Cyclone Japhet soaked central, northern and southern coasts of Mozambique, the eastern half of Zimbabwe, and central Madagascar. However, rainfall remained light across southern Mozambique and western Zimbabwe. Light rains (1-27 mm; 3-50% of normal) also prevailed across South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-100 mm) across Angola, and much of Zambia, except the bordering area with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where estimates ranged between 75 and 200 mm. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below normal across the eastern half of Madagascar, western Mozambique, Malawi, eastern Zimbabwe, and central Zambia. They were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal elsewhere.
  • February 2003 - Lighter than normal rains (3-68 mm, 3-70% of normal) fell during the month of February across northeastern South Africa, extreme southern Zimbabwe and much of southern Mozambique. This area includes northern and eastern areas of South Africa’s agriculturally productive Maize Triangle. Seasonal rains (93-168 mm, 75-168% of normal) fell across northern parts of Zimbabwe. Locally very heavy rains fell across the northern 2/3 of Madagascar (103-414 mm, 54-186% of normal). Seasonal showers and storms prevailed across most of Zambia and Angola (150-300 mm).
  • February 21-28 2003 - A tropical disturbance produced very heavy rains (127-344 mm) across west-central Madagascar. This disturbance developed into Tropical Cyclone Japhet on the 26th. Japhet strengthened to a category 2 cyclone with maximum winds of 85 knots over the open waters of the Mozambique Channel by the 28th. Heavy rains (61-191 mm; 149-495% of normal) soaked northern Zimbabwe, southern Zambia and Tete Province in Mozambique. Showers and thunderstorms helped to ease dryness across central Zimbabwe (11-96 mm; 100-229% of normal). Rainfall was light and spotty across southern Zimbabwe and extreme southern Mozambique (1-9 mm; 12-33% of normal). Lack of significant rainfall across northern portions of South Africa’s Maize Triangle, eastern Botswana and Swaziland reduced topsoil moisture for maturing summer crops. Further south, spotty showers fell across central and southern portions of the Maize Triangle. Temperatures across Zimbabwe, southern Zambia and Malawi averaged 1 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal across Namibia. Across much of KwaZulu-Natal province and Eastern Cape province in South Africa, temperatures averaged 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal. Elsewhere, temperatures were near normal.
  • February 11-20 2003 - Beneficial rains fell across Botswana, northeastern Namibia, Zambia, and northern Zimbabwe (57-145 mm; 89-235% of normal). Across South Africa’s Maize Triangle, widespread showers (21-122 mm; 65-264% of normal) favored summer crops and helped to ease dryness. Conditions continued dry across central Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe as showers (0-10 mm; 0-44% of normal) were light and spotty. Further south, light rain fell across Gaza and Maputo provinces in southern Mozambique. Locally heavy rains (47-384 mm; 138-300% of normal) fell across portions of northern Mozambique and extreme northern Madagascar, triggering flooding. The heaviest rains fell across northernmost Madagascar. Temperatures across Northern Province and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, as well as Maputo province in Mozambique, averaged 2 to 4 degrees above normal. Temperatures across Malawi averaged about 2 degrees below normal.
  • February 1-10 2003 - Below-normal rainfall (0-25 mm, 0-30% of normal) resulted in continuing drought from southern Mozambique through much of Zimbabwe, northern South Africa, eastern Botswana and southern Zambia. Heavy showers (50-100 mm, 90-120% of normal) brought scattered relief to central Mozambique, southeastern Zimbabwe, and eastern Botswana, but temperatures averaging 2 to 4 degrees C above normal worsened dryness in southwestern Mozambique, western Zimbabwe, northern South Africa and eastern Botswana. Rainfall over the drought region has totaled less than 60% of normal since November 1, and satellite-estimated rainfall has totaled under 40% of normal in parts of northern South Africa, southern and central Mozambique, and southern and central Zimbabwe. The drought extends into the northern maize triangle of South Africa and southern parts of Zimbabwe’s main maize region. Excessive wetness continued to the north, as 100 to 200 mm of rain (130-190% of normal) spread across northern Mozambique, central and northern Malawi, and extreme eastern Zambia. Very heavy rains ranging up to 339 mm fell on the northeast coast of Madagascar. Cyclone Gerry formed to the northeast of the island at the end of the period, contributing to the large rainfall totals. In Angola, satellite-estimated rainfall reached 200 to 250 mm in south-central areas, and 75 to 100 mm fell over northern and central Namibia.
  • January 2003 - Extremely wet weather covered Madagascar, with monthly rainfall totals of 400 to 900 mm (170-360% of normal) across the northern two-thirds of the country. Very wet weather (300-400 mm, 120-15% of normal) also prevailed across northern Mozambique, Malawi, and parts of eastern Zambia. Satellite rainfall estimates depicted very high totals exceeding 700 mm (over 300% of normal) in northeastern Mozambique in the Nampula Province area. An area of dryness (25-100 mm, 25-50% of normal) extended from southern Mozambique into northern South Africa, southern, central, and western Zimbabwe, southern Zambia, much of Botswana, and central Namibia. Since this was the second or third consecutive month with below normal rainfall in the area extending from eastern Botswana eastward to southern Mozambique, drought conditions developed across this region. Lack of extreme heat mitigated the impacts of the dryness, as monthly temperatures averaged near normal across southern Africa. Elsewhere, South Africa’s maize triangle recorded slightly below-normal rainfall (40-100 mm, 40-100% of normal), but this followed above-normal rains in December.
  • January 21-31 2003 - Cyclone Fari made landfall along the east-central coast of Madagascar late on January 28, packing winds of 45 knots. The storm weakened as it tracked southwestward across the island, exiting the western coast late on the 29th. Reported 24-hour rainfall totaled up to 230 mm on the west coast. For the January 21-31 period, excessive rainfall amounts ranging from 200 to 400 mm (150-400% of normal) covered nearly the entire northern one-half of Madagascar. To the west, little rain (2-15 mm, 5-35% of normal) fell from extreme southern Mozambique to northern South Africa and southern Zimbabwe. Botswana crop areas saw amounts mostly under 25 mm. Persistent dryness since December has resulted in drought extending from southern Mozambique into Botswana, including southern and western Zimbabwe and far northern South Africa. Heavy showers fell in northern Inhambane Province just to the north of the dry area in southern Mozambique (Gaza and Maputo), with up to 151 mm reported along the coast. Farther north, rainfall totals of 100 to 250 mm (100-320% of normal) maintained wet conditions over northern Mozambique, Malawi and eastern Zambia. Normal to above-normal rains (50-150 mm, 75-200% of normal) fell over important maize crop areas of northern Zimbabwe. Moderate rains (25-100 mm, 25-100% of normal) fell over southern Zambia, where rainfall deficits for the season remain. Unfavorably dry weather prevailed over central Namibia’s grasslands, where amounts ranged from 0 to 25 mm. Temperatures across the region averaged within 2 degrees C of normal.
  • January 11-20 2003 - In southern Africa, heavy rains plagued the provinces of Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Niassa in Mozambique as well as the northern two thirds of Madagascar, resulting in flooding. Satellite estimates indicate that 100 to 200 mm fell across northern Mozambique and 100 to 300+ mm fell across Madagascar, with the heaviest rains in the northwestern parts of the island. By contrast, little if any rain (less than 10 mm) fell across Mozambique south of the Zambezi River, southern Zimbabwe, Northern Province in South Africa and the tiny landlocked nation of Lesotho. Satellite estimates indicate that 5 to 25 mm fell across much of southern Zambia, which is well below normal. Showers dropped 10 to 50 mm of rainfall across northern Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana, Swaziland and most of South Africa’s Maize Triangle. This helped ease dryness. More substantial rain eased dryness concerns across northern Namibia and northern Botswana. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees above normal across the Maize Triangle, with maximum temperatures well into the 30’s across central and western areas. Temperatures were near normal across Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
  • January 1-10 2003 - Heavy rains (75-175 mm, 125-275% of normal) relieved dryness in central Mozambique and extreme eastern Zimbabwe. In Mozambique, the rains spread as far south as northern parts of Gaza and Inhambane Provinces, bringing relief to areas that had become critically dry following below-normal rainfall since November. The bulk of the rains fell toward the end of the period, mainly on January 9. The remains of Cyclone Delfina tracked southeastward across northeastern Mozambique early in the period and then southward through the Mozambique Channel. Rainfall amounts exceeded 300 mm (up to 550% of normal) in Nampula Province, and ranged from 200 to 300 mm in surrounding areas of northeastern Mozambique. Totals of 100 to 150 mm relieved dryness in southern Malawi. Heavy rains also fell over northern Madagascar, which saw 150 to 400 mm (200-600% of normal), with the greatest amounts along the northeast coast. In contrast, much of Botswana remained unfavorable dry, especially in the east, where totals generally ranged from 0 to 30 mm (0-50% of normal), although totals reached 59 mm locally. Less than 10 mm (10-50% of normal) fell in western Zimbabwe. The main maize crop area in northeastern Zimbabwe experienced variable rainfall amounts that were mostly below normal (10-50 mm, 10-120% of normal). This area was abnormally dry during December 21-31, so moisture levels likely remain less than ideal. Extreme southern Mozambique measured less than 25 mm. Negligible rain fell during December 21-31, so this area also needs more moisture. Rainfall over South Africa’s maize triangle was mostly in the moderate range (25-75 mm, 30-175% of normal), although there were some dry pockets in the north. Dry areas also persisted in southern Zambia, where amounts ranged from 10-50 mm. Temperatures were mostly near normal, except in southwestern South Africa, which saw little or no rainfall and temperatures averaged around 2 degrees C above normal.
  • December 2002 - Unfavorably dry weather extended from Zambezia Province in north-central Mozambique to Inhambane and Gaza Provinces in southern Mozambique. The driest areas (less than 50 mm and 50% of normal) stretched from around Quelimane to Inhambane along the coast and continued inland to near the Zimbabwe border. Another dry area extended from southern Malawi southeastward into adjacent Mozambique. Since this was the second month of below-normal rainfall for much of this region, near-drought conditions have developed in central and southern Mozambique and southern Malawi. In contrast, northeastern Mozambique experienced wet conditions this month, with satellite estimates indicating over 300 mm in Nampula Province. The wetness (250-300 mm) extended westward to include northern Zambia and northern Angola. Rainfall was below normal (25-100 mm, 25-75% of normal) over eastern and southern Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana, and northern South Africa. Most of South Africa’s maize triangle reported normal to above-normal rainfall, although some of the rainfall was reportedly accompanied by damaging hail. Satellite estimates depicted slightly below-normal rainfall for southern Angola and western Namibia. Many areas of northern Madagascar recorded heavy rainfall amounts of 300 to 400 mm or more (140-300% of normal) for the month. Temperatures averaged near normal across the region.
  • December 21-31 2002 - Nearly rainless weather extended over central and southern Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe and southern Malawi, as rainfall totaled 0 to 15 mm (0-30% of normal). Rainfall has been consistently deficient so far this growing season in this region, resulting in near-drought conditions. The area around Manica Province in central Mozambique appeared to be hardest hit by the dryness. Rainfall amounts were higher but still below normal (10-25 mm, 10-50% of normal) in eastern Botswana, northern Zimbabwe, extreme southern Zambia and parts of northern South Africa. The season has been unfavorably dry in these areas as well, although conditions have not been as serious as in central Mozambique. Unseasonably dry weather also stretched from western Angola southward to western and central Namibia. Heavy rains (100-200 mm, 150-375% of normal) hit eastern Zambia and northern Mozambique. Cyclone Delfina made landfall along the Mozambique coast on December 31. The storm was not intense, but was accompanied by heavy rains, which affected northern Mozambique. Amounts exceeded 150 mm across much of northern Madagascar. Lack of extreme heat prevented the dryness from rapidly intensifying in southern Africa, as temperatures throughout the region were mostly near normal, the main exceptions being the cool weather (2 to 3 degrees C below normal) over eastern Zambia and northern Malawi and warm weather (2 degrees C above normal) over interior western South Africa.
  • December 11-20 2002 - Moderate to heavy rains (30-80 mm, 100-175% of normal) fell across the main crop areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Swaziland, further reducing deficits resulting from November dryness. In contrast, rainfall totals remained below normal (2-30 mm, 2-50% of normal) across central and southern Mozambique, southern Malawi, and southern Zimbabwe. Amounts improved relative to December 1-10, but month-to-date and season-to-date totals remained well normal in these areas. Month-to-date rainfall also remained below normal over much of central and northern Zimbabwe as well as southern and central Zambia despite this period’s rains. Dry weather (0-10 mm) encompassed Namibia and southern Angola, but this region recorded plentiful rains in early December. Heavy to excessive rains (100-150 mm) hit northeastern Mozambique and northern and eastern Madagascar. Up to 216 mm of rain drenched Madagascar’s east coast. Temperatures averaged near or slightly below normal across the region.
  • December 1-10 2002 - Rainfall totals of 25 to 100 mm (100 to 265% of normal) brought dryness relief to most of South Africa’s major corn region. In contrast, lighter amounts fell to the north, with totals 12 mm or less (10-50% of normal) across northern South Africa, southern Zimbabwe and most of Malawi and Mozambique. Greater rainfall spread over Swaziland, Zambia, eastern Botswana, and northern Zimbabwe (15-40 mm, 40-90% of normal), but most amounts remained below normal. Given the dry weather experienced in November, southeastern Africa continued to record well below-normal rainfall for the current growing season, with the driest areas in central and southern Malawi, western Zimbabwe, northwestern, north-central, and northern Mozambique, eastern Botswana, northern South Africa and Swaziland. To the east, heavy rains (50-200 mm) covered Madagascar, the main exception being the central and southwestern coast (0 mm). Above-normal rainfall covered northern and western Angola (75-200 mm) and northern Namibia (25-75 mm). Temperatures averaged 0 to 2 degrees C below normal across the region, except in southwestern South Africa, where readings averaged 3 to 5 degrees above normal under mostly rainless skies.
  • November 2002 - Rainfall was below normal across most of southern Africa. Rainfall totals were in the range of 1-54 mm; 1-79% of normal) across South Africa's maize Triangle, Mozambique, southern Zimbabwe, Zambia, eastern Botswana, and Namibia. However, moderate to heavy rains (27-256 mm; 84-264% of normal) fell over western Botswana, pockets of northeastern Namibia, western Zambia, and across most Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 50-250 mm across most of Angola.
  • November 21-30 2002 - Unseasonably dry weather continued to cover most of southern Africa with little rain falling from Zambia southward into South Africa and eastward through central and southern Mozambique. South Africa's maize Triangle received only about 1-38 mm (3-46% of normal). Light to moderate rains (1-38 mm; 3-56% of normal) fell over most of Zimbabwe and Botswana. However, locally moderate to heavy rains (24-273 mm; 88-345% of normal) fell over parts of central Mozambique, northern Zimbabwe, and along the northeast coast of Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 50-100 mm over most of Angola and northern Zambia.
  • November 11-20 2002 - Unseasonably dry weather covered most of southern Africa with little or no rain falling from Zambia southward into South Africa and eastward through central and southern Mozambique. However, locally moderate to heavy rains (14-54 mm; 74-274% of normal) fell over northern Mozambique, southeastern Zimbabwe, southwestern Botswana, and the eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Locally moderate to heavy rains (34-122 mm; 88-209% of normal) also fell over the eastern half of Madagascar, while moisture was sustained across southern Angola. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below normal across the region.
  • November 1-10 2002 - Moderate to heavy rains (15-83 mm; 94-398% of normal) soaked much of Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique. Moderate to heavy rains (19-238 mm; 98-698% of normal) also fell over southeastern and northern Madagascar, while scattered light rains fell over Botswana and Namibia. South Africa's Maize Triangle also received less beneficial rains for the crops. Rainfall amounts in this area ranged between 5-34 mm (10-74% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 25-100 mm over northern Angola and most of Zambia, while dry conditions prevailed over southwestern Angola. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees C below normal across the region.
  • October 2002 - Spring rains (16- 135 mm; 54- 131% of normal) favored emerging row crops across the Maize Triangle of South Africa. A wetter than normal October was observed across Zimbabwe and much of Mozambique (18- 215 mm; 95- 660% of normal). Early springtime rains fell across Botswana and northeastern Namibia (1- 31 mm; 54- 256% of normal). Temperatures were cool across eastern Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, where average temperatures were 2 to 6 degrees Celsius below normal.
  • October 21-31 2002 - Unseasonably heavy rains (72- 172 mm; 512- 770% of normal) swept across central and southern Mozambique, while beneficial rains (7- 131 mm; 49- 216% of normal) favored row crops across the Maize Triangle of South Africa. Moderate-to-heavy rains (7- 82 mm; 43- 500% of normal) fell across Zimbabwe and much of Botswana. Wet-season rains pushed into northern Angola. On Madagascar, moderate rains (15- 46 mm; 47- 241% of normal) fell across the interior. Temperatures averaged 2 to 5 degrees Celsius below normal across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.
  • October 11-20 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the region, except along the northeastern coast of Madagascar, where moderate to heavy rains (31-109 mm; 144-374% of normal) fell. Temperature readings averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above average across South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. They averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below average across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Madagascar.
  • October 1-10 2002 - Above-normal rains (10-50 mm; 100-400% of normal) covered eastern parts of South Africa as well as much of Zimbabwe, Botswana, western Zambia and central Mozambique, suggesting a strong start to the summer rainy season. The rainy season has not yet begun over the eastern half of Zambia. Temperatures were on the cool side, averaging around 1 to 4 degrees C below normal across the region.
  • September 2002 - Light to moderate, but unseasonable rains fell over South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana, providing some pre-planting moisture for the upcoming growing season. Seasonable dryness prevailed over Namibia and southern Angola. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-200 mm) over northern Angola.
  • September 21-30 2002 - Light but unseasonable rains fell over central and southern Zimbabwe and over parts of South Africa. Seasonable dry conditions prevailed elsewhere. However, satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-200 mm) over northern Angola. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average over South Africa, most of Mozambique, and along the northwest coast of Madagascar. They were 2 to 3 degrees C below average elsewhere.
  • September 11-20 2002 - Light to moderate rains (10-61 mm; 183-700% of normal) fell along the central coast of Mozambique. Unseasonable heavy rains (92-150 mm; 217-935% of normal) also fell along the central eastern coast and extreme western coast of Madagascar. Seasonable dryness prevailed elsewhere in the region. Temperatures were generally 1 to 6 degrees C below average across the region, except over the western half of South Africa and southern Namibia, where they were 2 to 4 degrees C above average.
  • September 1-10 2002 - Unseasonably moderate to heavy rains continued over South Africa, with particularly large rainfall amounts over eastern Cape Province, where rainfall amounts up to 128 mm (157% of normal) were recorded. The rains extended northward into Zimbabwe and southern coast of Mozambique with amounts up to 30 mm in southeastern Zimbabwe. Unseasonable rains (12-91 mm; 181-338% of normal) also fell over parts of Madagascar. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 2 degrees C below normal.
  • August 2002 - Near-record wetness covered much of South Africa in August, as totals of 25 to 100 mm ranged from 300 to 900% of normal. Eastern Cape coastal areas experienced amounts as high as 200 mm. Abnormal rains (up to 26 mm) also fell on parts of Botswana, as the rest of the region stayed seasonably dry and temperatures averaged near normal.
  • August 21-31 2002 - Unseasonably wet weather persisted over central and southwestern South Africa, with totals of 15 to 35 mm (200-700% of normal) common in both areas. In Botswana, several locations recorded over 25 mm of rain, according to satellite estimates, but the remainder of southern Africa was seasonably dry. Temperatures averaged about 2 degrees C above normal in central South Africa and near normal elsewhere.
  • August 11-20 2002 - Light but unseasonable rains (1-18 mm; 150-708% of normal) fell over portions of the Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Northern Transvaal, and eastern North-West Provinces of South Africa. In addition, a low pressure system brought downpours (19-72 mm; 139-840% of normal). The heaviest rains (70-254 mm; 100-450% of normal) fell over the western Cape Province of South Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated that seasonable dryness prevailed elsewhere, except along the northeast coast of Madagascar, where sizable rainfall amounts (69-170 mm; 162-266% of normal) were recorded. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across the region, except over northeastern South Africa and Mozambique, where they averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal.
  • August 1-10 2002 - Light rains (3-37 mm; 2-59% of normal) fell over the Western Cape Province of South Africa, while seasonable dryness prevailed across the rest of the region. However, moderate rains (20-87 mm; 109-403% of normal) fell over pockets along the east coast of South Africa, central coast of Mozambique, and the eastern coast of Madagascar. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal across South Africa, Namibia, southern Botswana, southern Mozambique, and along the west coast of Madagascar. They were 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across Zimbabwe, eastern Zambia, Malawi, and northwestern Mozambique.
  • July 2002 - The Western Cape Province of South Africa continued to benefit from needed rains (33-100 mm; 114-172% of normal) for the winter crop season. Unseasonable heavy rains (76-250 mm; 138-309% of normal) pounded Southeast South Africa, where the Highlands received extremely heavy snowfall causing many deaths and loss of property. Moderate to heavy rains (59-321 mm; 95-404% of normal) were also observed along coastal southern Mozambique and northeastern Madagascar. Elsewhere, seasonable dryness prevailed. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average over north central South Africa, southern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. They were near normal elsewhere.
  • July 21-31 2002 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the region. The exceptions were southwestern South Africa, where mid-latitude disturbances generated light to moderate rains (3-50 mm; 87-339% of normal). Moderate to heavy rains (11-134 mm; 82-206% of normal) also fell along the northeastern coast of Madagascar. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C above normal across the region, except over southwestern South Africa and over northern Zambia, where they were 1 to 3 degrees C below normal.
  • July 11-20 2002 - Flooding rains and mountain snows hit southern and southeastern areas of South Africa on July 17-20, with precipitation amounts exceeding 180 mm locally on the Kwazulu-Natal coast. In addition, heavy snows hit parts of Lesotho. Ten-day precipitation amounts in South Africa generally ranged from 100 to 150 mm along the southeastern coast and a short distance inland. These totals were 500 to 1000% of normal. Unseasonable rains also fell over southwestern South Africa (5-80 mm; 200-900% of normal). Scattered totals of 40 to 75 mm in southern Mozambique exceeded 400% of normal. Seasonal dryness prevailed elsewhere. Temperatures were decidedly on the cool side region-wide, as readings averaged 2 to 4 degrees C below normal across South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
  • July 1-10 2002 - Showers (1-22 mm; 7-140% of normal) favored winter wheat across Western Cape province in South Africa. Showers (1-24 mm; 15-171% of normal) dampened topsoils along the Mozambique coast. Moderate-to-heavy rains (16-171 mm; 23-217% of normal) fell along the east coast of Madagascar. Elsewhere in southern Africa, conditions were seasonably dry. Cooler than normal conditions prevailed across Zimbabwe, eastern Zambia and Malawi where minimum temperatures of 4 to 12 degrees C resulted in average temperatures of 1 to 6 degrees C below normal. Across Botswana, Namibia and western South Africa, temperatures averaged 3 degrees C below to 3 degrees C above normal.
Back to top | Current season | Back to historical analysis page