Southern Africa Weather Analysis 2003/2004

Meteorological Analysis for South Africa

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Seasonal Vegetation Index - 2003/2004

Seasonal vegetative index

Seasonal Rainfall - 2003/2004
in mm

Seasonal rainfall

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Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis
Southern Africa - 2003/2004

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

July 2004 - July was wetter than normal across Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in South Africa, as well as Swaziland (19-206 mm; 105-368% of normal). This was mainly due to a strong winter storm towards the end of the month. Showers were also observed across southern and coastal portions of Mozambique (5-50 mm; 24-380% of normal). The rest of southern Africa was seasonably dry. In Madagascar, seasonable showers prevailed along the east coast (71-224 mm; 58-160% of normal), with seasonably dry conditions elsewhere. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal for July 2004 across eastern South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi and Mozambique. Across western South Africa, Namibia and Madagascar, temperatures averaged near normal. >
July 21-31 2004 - A strong late autumn storm system produced showers and locally heavy thunderstorms in and around Western Cape in South Africa (11-94 mm; 192-449% of normal). The storm system also produced rain, some of which was very heavy, across coastal sections of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Rainfall amounts of 54-191 mm (247-667% of normal) were reported, most of which fell in 24 hours. In the southern Drakensberg, heavy snowfall was reported. Showers were reported across interior KwaZulu-Natal, eastern Mpumalanga, and eastern Limpopo provinces in South Africa as well as Swaziland and southern Mozambique (6-60 mm; 324-1000 % of normal). Elsewhere, conditions were seasonably dry across southern Africa. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal across South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. In Madagascar, rainfall was confined to the east coast, where occasional showers were observed (5-62 mm; 9-72% of normal). Locally heavy rains fell along northern coastal areas (up to 158 mm; up to 864% of normal).
July 11-20 2004 - Dry conditions increased short term moisture deficits across the winter grain producing across of Western Cape in South Africa. Rainfall totals are only about half of normal over the past three months. Conditions were seasonably dry across most of southern Africa. However, scattered showers were reported over northern Mozambique (2-33 mm; 72-239% of normal). Showers were also observed along coastal sections of Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa (1-45 mm; 11-341% of normal). Moderate to heavy rain fell along the east coast of Madagascar (32-150 mm; 79-274% of normal). Interior sections were dry. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal across most of southern Africa. However, temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal in western South Africa.
July 1-10 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the region. However, light to moderate rains (1-67 mm; 3-76% of normal) fell along the east coast of Madagascar, while unseasonably light to moderate rains (9-25 mm; 128-139% of normal) locally fell over northeastern Mozambique. Light rains also fell over portions of northern and eastern South Africa, as well as the Western Cape Province. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average.
June 2004 - Seasonably dry weather prevailed except for the Western Cape of South Africa, where moderate rains (10-39 mm) resulted in above normal rainfall. Unseasonably moderate to heavy rains fell locally along the east coast of Madagascar and portions of northern Mozambique.
June 21-30 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across he region. However, light to moderate rains (2-29 mm) continued to fall across Western Cape. Light rains also fell over the eastern areas of South Africa, while the east coast of Madagascar received (15-232 mm; 93-492% of normal). Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal, except over Zambia and Zimbabwe, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal.
June 11-20 2004 - Showers continued across Western Cape (4-49 mm; 39-127% of normal) albeit lighter than the first 10-day period of June. Showers fell along the east coast of Madagascar (8-68 mm; 25-162% of normal). Otherwise, conditions were dry across the region. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal across northern Namibia, eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal over western South Africa.
June 1-10 2004 - A strong late autumn storm system produced showers and locally heavy thunderstorms in and around Western Cape in South Africa (7-59 mm; 96-573% of normal). Scattered showers were reported across eastern Zimbabwe and along the Mozambique coast (1-49 mm; 7-306 % of normal). Elsewhere, conditions were seasonably dry across southern Africa. Temperatures were cooler than normal across most of southern Africa, with negative temperature anomalies of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in most locations. The exception was in western South Africa and western Namibia, where temperatures in those locations were 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal. Occasional freezes were reported in the southern Maize Triangle region of South Africa. In Madagascar, rainfall was confined to the east coast, where occasional showers were observed (9-63 mm; 36-256% of normal).
May 2004 - Most areas remained dry following the withdrawal of the seasonal rains. However, moderate to heavy rains (8-285 mm; 99-243% of normal) fell along the eastern and northern coasts of Madagascar and over northern Mozambique.
May 21-31 2004 - Seasonable dryness prevailed across the region, except isolated light to moderate rains (6-52 mm) locally over northern Mozambique and along the east coast of Madagascar. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across southern South Africa. They averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal elsewhere.
May 11-20 2004 - Seasonably dry weather prevailed, except locally light to moderate rains (2-40 mm) along the east coast of Madagascar, coastal areas of Mozambique, and portions of the northern areas of the Maize Triangle of South Africa. Temperatures remained below average over Zimbabwe and Zambia. They were 1 to 3 degrees C above normal over South Africa.
May 1-10 2004 - Seasonably dry weather prevailed. Temperatures remained abnormally low in the north (2-5 degrees C below normal) near Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia, but unusually high (3-7 degrees C above normal) across western South Africa.
April 2004 - Rains tapered off during the month, but monthly totals ended up near to above normal over most of the region. Notable anomalies included the Cape Province area of South Africa, which recorded 35 to 100 mm (120-400% of normal). Contributing to the lingering flooding problems in the region, amounts near the border areas of Angola, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana totaled 50 to 100 mm (over 400% of normal). The Kwazulu-Natal region in eastern South Africa was one of the few areas reporting well below-normal rainfall this month (0-40 mm, 0-45% of normal). Monthly temperatures averaged near normal, except for 1 to 2 degrees C below normal from northern Zimbabwe into Zambia.
April 21-30 2004 - Seasonably dry weather prevailed, with scattered heavy showers along the coast of Mozambique (up to 87 mm). Favorably dry weather prevailed across the flooded area near the Caprivi Strip in northern Namibia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees C below normal in the northern parts of the region and 2 to 4 degrees above normal in western and southern Namibia.
April 11-20 2004 - Moderate to heavy rains (21-312 mm; 112-174% of normal) fell locally over northern and southern Madagascar, as well as along the central east coast. Moderate to heavy rains (12-170 mm) continued to sustain moisture over northern and central coast of Mozambique, southern Malawi, northern and southern Zimbabwe, and most of the Free State of South Africa. However, light rains (2-12 mm; 23-75% of normal) fell over central Zimbabwe. Light rains (1-10 mm; 6-33% of normal) also fell locally over interior Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonable dryness across Namibia, Botswana, southern and centralAngola, and western Zambia. Rainfall estimates ranged between 75 and 200 mm locally over northwestern Angola. They ranged between 10 and 50 mm over parts of eastern Zambia. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average across the region.
April 1-20 2004 - Light to moderate rains (2-138 mm; 5-156% of normal) relieved Madagascar from the heavy rains of the previous 10-day periods, especially the coastal areas. Moderate to heavy rains (35-187 mm; 96-283% of normal) sustained moisture over northern Mozambique and eased dryness locally over southern Malawi. Moderate to heavy rains (12-84 mm; 99-278% of normal) fell across most of Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland. Unseasonably moderate to heavy rains fell across western South Africa, especially the Western and Northern Cape Provinces, where rainfall amounts ranged locally between 43 and 79 mm. However, light rains (1-28 mm; 9-67% of normal) fell over north central Zimbabwe, and along the east coast of South Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 10-50 mm over central and eastern Namibia, and over southern Botswana. Rainfall estimates were heavier (75-150 mm) over central and southeast Angola, and locally over northern Zambia. Dry conditions prevailed along the coast of Namibia, southern Zambia, and central Mozambique. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average across the region, except over Namibia, western South Africa, and parts of southern Madagascar, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
March 2004 - Tropical Cyclone Gafilo contributed to heavy to extremely heavy rains (160-499 mm; 97-389% of normal) over northern and southern Madagascar. The central east coast of Madagascar also received locally heavy rains. However, light to moderate rains (110-274 mm; 41-66% of normal) fell locally along the east coast of Madagascar. Moderate to heavy rains (147-315 mm; 80-187% of normal) fell over central Mozambique and along the northern coast. Moderate to heavy rains (77-286 mm; 86-638% of normal) also fell over most of Zimbabwe, northern and central Botswana, northeastern South Africa, and locally over portions of the Free State and Northern Cape provinces. These rains covered also locally southern Mozambique. However, light rains (13-130 mm; 7-72% of normal) fell over most of northern Mozambique, Malawi, southern Botswana, and most of Namibia. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (150-250 mm) over northern Angola and northern Zambia. The estimates ranged between 25 and 150 mm over central Angola, central and southern Zambia, and northeastern Namibia.
March 21-31 2004 - Heavy rains (169-351 mm; 222-302% of normal) soaked the northeastern coast of Madagascar, while moderate to heavy rains (62-138 mm; 80-201% of normal) fell locally along the northern and mid-coast of Mozambique. Moderate to heavy rains (37-91 mm; 85-486% of normal) also alleviated dryness over southern Zimbabwe. These rains extended south to cover northern South Africa and the east coast. Unusually heavy rains (96-192 mm; 787-959% of normal) fell locally over parts of the Northern Cape province of South Africa and locally over eastern Zimbabwe. Light to moderate rains (1-70 mm; 2-78% of normal) fell locally over northern Mozambique, most of northern Zimbabwe and most of the Maize Triangle of South Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy downpours (75-150 mm) over northern Angola and central Mozambique. The estimates ranged between 10 and 75 mm over central and southern Angola, western Zambia, northern Botswana, and northeastern Namibia. Dry conditions prevailed over most of Malawi, southeastern Zambia, southern Botswana, and the western half of Namibia. Temperatures averaged 2 to 3 degrees C below normal across the region, except over Mozambique and eastern South Africa, where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
March 11-20 2004 - Tropical Cyclone Galifo dumped additional rains (46-100 mm; 115-190% of normal) as it exited southeastern Madagascar early in the period. Light to moderate rains (91-120 mm; 7-63% of normal) brought relief to the remainder of Madagascar, except locally over the northwestern part of the country, where heavy rains (146; 170% of normal) soaked the area. Light to moderate rains (1-45 mm; 7-79% of normal) fell over most of continental southern Africa. The exceptions were southwestern and northwestern Zimbabwe, northeastern Botswana, mid-coast of Mozambique, northeastern South Africa, and portions of the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, where rainfall totals ranged between 21 and 146 mm; 101-404% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light rains (1-25 mm) over most of Namibia, western Botswana, and southern Angola. Estimates ranged between 50 and 100 mm over eastern and northern Angola. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across the region.
March 1-10 2004 - Tropical Cyclone Galifo dumped heavy rains (83-403 mm; 83-980% of normal) over Madagascar. The heaviest amounts were recorded in the southern and northern parts of the country. The heavy downpours destroyed crop plants in the northeast especially vanilla. Isolated heavy rains (67-148 mm; 107-253 % of normal) fell over parts of northeastern Mozambique as well as along the mid and southern coasts. Moderate to heavy rains 30-160 mm; 98-309% of normal) brought needed moisture to southern and central Malawi and most of Zimbabwe. However, moisture deficits continued to prevail over parts of central and northern Mozambique, and northern Malawi. Moderate rains (35-104 mm; 116-255% of normal) fell over parts of the Maize Triangle of South Africa, as well as portions of the Northern Transvaal and the Kwazulu/Natal provinces. Light rains 3-4 mm (6-18% of normal) fell over Swaziland and Lesotho. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 75-150 mm across Zambia and parts of western Angola. The estimates ranged between 25 and 75 over most of Angola, northern Namibia, and northern Botswana. Dry conditions prevailed over southern Namibia, southern Botswana, and along the Angolan coast. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across the region, except over central and southern Madagascar, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above average.
February 2004 - Despite the rains generated by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Elita earlier in the month, moisture deficits were registered in most of Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi. Rainfall totals in these areas ranged between 15 and 298 mm (7-78% of normal). The exceptions were some local areas along the southeastern and northwestern coasts of Madagascar, the central coast and portions of northwestern Mozambique, where rainfall amounts ranged between 251 and 401 mm (101-179% of normal). Heavier than normal rains (93-208 mm; 84-302% of normal) fell over the Maize Triangle of South Africa, Swaziland, central Zimbabwe, northern Botswana, and locally over central Namibia. Below normal rains (5-114 mm; 5-74% of normal) fell over southern Botswana, northern Namibia, and southern Zimbabwe. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (25-150 mm) across most of Angola. Rainfall estimates were higher (150-300 mm) across Zambia.
February 21-29 2004 - Beneficial rains (37-181 mm; 144-384% of normal) continued to fall over the Maize Triangle of South Africa. The rains extended northward to southern Botswana, central Namibia. Moderate to heavy rains (48-147 mm; 157-439% of normal) fell over most of Zimbabwe, southwestern Zambia, locally over northern and southern Mozambique, central Malawi, and Swaziland. Moderate to heavy rains (24-179 mm; 86-196% of normal) also fell over central and northern Madagascar. However, some areas of northern Zimbabwe, northern and southern Malawi, and the central coast of Mozambique continued to experience rainfall deficits (4-72 mm; 15-72% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonable dryness along the coast from Angola southward to Namibia. Rainfall estimates were light to moderate (10-75 mm) over the interior and eastern parts of both countries. Heavy downpours (75-150 mm) sustained flood risks over southern Zambia. Temperatures were generally 2 to 3 degrees C below average across the region.
February 11-20 200 - Moderate to heavy rains (47-328 mm; 89-396% of normal) fell locally over northern and central Mozambique, most of northern and central Zimbabwe, and along portions of the east coast of Madagascar. Moderate to heavy rains (10-174 mm; 100-523% of normal) sustained moisture across the Maize Triangle of South Africa. However, light rains (1-45 mm; 1-49% of normal) continued to sustain moisture deficit over southern Zimbabwe, Malawi, southern Mozambique, and Lesotho. Light rains to moderate rains (1-104 mm; 1-73% of normal) fell over most of eastern and southern Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light rains (1-25 mm) over southern Namibia and southern Botswana. The estimates show heavier amounts (25-200 mm) over northern Namibia, northern Botswana, western Angola, and most of Zambia. Temperatures were generally 2 to 3 degrees C below average, except along the coast of South Africa, central Namibia, central Mozambique, and northwestern Madagascar, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
February 1-10 2004 - Moderate to heavy rains (48-118 mm; 81-123% of normal) fell locally over southern and northwestern Madagascar and along the central coast of Mozambique. These wet conditions sustained moisture over these areas. Light to moderate rains (3-23 mm; 29-71% of normal) fell over much of the Maize Triangle of South Africa. The exceptions were some areas in Northern Transvaal, Mpumalanga, and Kwazulu/Natal provinces, where rainfall amounts ranged between 31 and 74 mm (103-165% of normal). Light rains sustained drought conditions over Swaziland and Lesotho. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light or no rain (1-10 mm) over much of Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, northern and southern Botswana, southern Namibia, southern Zambia, and southern Malawi, and the western half of South Africa. Moderate to heavy rains (25-75 mm) fell over central and northern Angola and northeastern Zambia. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal over Zambia and Zimbabwe. They were 1 to 3 degrees C above normal over Namibia and South Africa.
January 2004 - Tropical Cyclone (TC) Elita soaked the east coast and northern Madagascar. Rainfall totals ranged between 185 mm and 845 mm (80-270% of normal). This TC also helped to somewhat relieve dryness in parts of northern and southern Mozambique, southern Lesotho, and parts of Zimbabwe. Rainfall totals in these areas ranged between 99 and 277 mm (82-204% of normal). Lighter than normal rains fell across most of South Africa, including the Maize Triangle. The exceptions were portions of the Kwazulu/Natal, the Northern Transvaal, the Northern Cape, and the Eastern Cape provinces, where rainfall totals ranged between 30 and 298 mm (107-275% of normal). Below-normal rains also fell over most of Botswana, except the northwestern and northeastern areas. In Namibia, only the central part of the country recorded above normal rains. Below-normal rains also persisted over Swaziland and Lesotho. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-300 mm) across most of Angola and Zambia.
January 21-31 2004 - Tropical Cyclone Elita dumped heavy rains over Madagascar and along the east coast of southern Africa. The heaviest amounts (202-665 mm; 302-366% of normal) were recorded over northern Madagascar. Moderate to heavy rains (59-278% of normal) fell along the east coast of Madagascar, northern, central and extreme southern Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. These wet conditions sustained moisture over northern Mozambique and Malawi, and eased dryness over southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe. In South Africa, moderate to heavy rains (29-194 mm; 91-388% of normal) were confined to the east coast and locally over the North West Province. Moderate rains (34-38 mm; 107% of normal) also fell over Lesotho. However, the Maize Triangle of South Africa registered light to moderate rains (2-40 mm; 50% of normal). Light rains once again sustained drought conditions over Swaziland. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy downpours (75-200 mm) across Zambia, while the estimates ranged between 25 and 150 mm over Angola. Dryness prevailed over Namibia and most of Botswana. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across most of the region, except over central Botswana and the southern tip of South Africa, where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
January 11-20 2004 - Wet conditions (58-135 mm; 135-224% of normal) helped to ease dryness over southern Malawi, while isolated showers (67-89 mm; 101-153% of normal) helped sustain moisture conditions over northern Mozambique. Moderate to heavy rains (34-148 mm; 97-740 % of normal) also fell over pockets of southern Zambia, north-central Zimbabwe, central Mozambique, and the Maize Triangle of South Africa. Heavy rains (85-259 mm; 106-374% of normal) soaked the northeastern coast of Madagascar, while lighter rains fell in the remainder of this area. Light rains (2-35 mm; 10-55% of normal) also prevailed across most of Zimbabwe and northeastern South Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 10-150 mm across Angola, most of Namibia, and Zambia, with the heaviest amounts located over the northern portions of Angola, central Namibia, and northeastern Zambia. Dryness prevailed along Namibia’s coastline and the west coast of South Africa. Little or no rain once again prevailed over southern Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average across the region, except over northern Mozambique, western South Africa, and southern Namibia, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above average.
January 1-10 2004 - Dry conditions (less than 10 mm, less than 10% of normal) during the first ten day period of 2004 worsened the drought across southern Malawi, southeastern Zimbabwe, central and southern Mozambique. Summer showers (5-44 mm; 24-109% of normal) increased moisture for summer crops across northern Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana and central Malawi. Seasonal rains (30-90 mm) maintained abundant moisture across Angola, western Botswana, northern Namibia, Zambia and northern Mozambique. Locally heavy rains (100+ mm) fell across eastern Nampula province in Mozambique. Summer showers (10-61 mm; 54-166% of normal) developed across South Africa's Maize Triangle, with the heavier amounts to the south and west and the lighter amounts to the north and east. Soaking rains fell across interior KwaZulu-Natal Province and adjacent Eastern Cape Province. Seasonal rains helped to ease dryness across Swaziland and Lesotho (30-70 mm). In Madagascar, summer rains covered most of the country (30-178 mm; 60-201% of normal). Lighter rains fell across the normally drier southwest. Temperatures across southern Africa averaged within 2 degrees Celsius of normal.
December 2003 - December rainfall totals were below normal across most of southeastern Africa. Lighter than normal rains fell across eastern South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe and Malawi. Rainfall was seasonable across Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Angola. Tropical Cyclone Cela drenched the west coast of Madagascar during mid-December. Rainfall amounts were 161-522% of normal across western Madagascar.
December 21-31 2003 - Beneficial showers (10-55 mm; 43-118% of normal) overspread Malawi, Mozambique, eastern Zimbabwe, Swaziland, eastern South Africa and Lesotho. Despite the rain, substantial moisture deficits remain across portions of southeastern Africa. Seasonal rains (50-125 mm) continued across southern Angola, Zambia, northern Botswana and northeastern Namibia, including the Caprivi Strip. Seasonal rains (75-150 mm) soaked central and northeastern Madagascar, with very heavy rain (150-300 mm) across northwestern Madagascar. Seasonal showers (10-70 mm) covered much of southern Madagascar, except for extreme southwestern portions of the island which were dry. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal across Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and the Maize Triangle in South Africa. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal in western South Africa and Namibia.
December 11-20 2003 - Tropical Cyclone Cela meandered slowly southward in the Mozambique Channel where it reached a maximum strength of 65 knots. Though Cela remained offshore after crossing northern-most Madagascar on the 9th and 10th, the storm produced torrential rains along the west coast of Madagascar (309-385 mm; 904-1000+% of normal). Seasonal rains (23-167 mm; 43-192% of normal) fell across the rest of the island. On the continent, moderate to heavy rains (70-150 mm) fell across eastern Zambia, northern and central Malawi, as well as northern Mozambique. Beneficial rains (40-80 mm) fell across Tete Province in Mozambique, where dryness is a concern. Favorable rains fell across western Zambia, Angola and western Zimbabwe (30-80 mm). Poor performing seasonal rains have resulted in worsening drought across central and southern Mozambique, southern Malawi, eastern Zimbabwe and Swaziland where rainfall totals since November 1 are less than half of normal. These areas received less than 25 mm of rainfall during the period, increasing the moisture deficits in most locations. In South Africa, showers were spotty (1-10 mm) across the Maize Triangle, where rainfall amounts since November 1 are between 50 and 80% of normal. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal across the Maize Triangle, where high temperatures were in the low to mid 30’s. No precipitation was observed over Lesotho, where rainfall totals since November 1 are less than half of normal in northern and western areas. Further north, showers (5-50 mm) helped to ease dryness across eastern Botswana, where seasonal totals are currently 50 to 80% of normal. Showers and thunderstorms (10-70 mm) favored summer agriculture across northern Botswana and northern Namibia (including the agriculturally-significant Caprivi Strip), where rainfall totals since November 1 are near to slightly above normal.
December 1-10 2003 - Cyclone Cela crossed the northern tip of Madagascar on December 9-10 with estimated winds of 35 knots. Winds reached 45 knots shortly before landfall on the northeast coast. Reported 24-hour rainfall totals reached as high as 149 mm. Cela later tracked southwestward, affecting the northwest coast of the island on December 10 and during the following days. Ample rains also fell over the remainder of Madagascar, contrasting with the drier November pattern. Over the mainland of southern Africa, rainfall was below normal, especially south of the 20th parallel. Totals generally ranged from 0 to 14 mm (0-25% of normal) over Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Malawi and southern and central Mozambique. The growing season is off to a poor start in a number of areas, especially in northwestern Mozambique (Tete and northern Manica provinces) and southern Malawi, where cumulative rainfall since November 1 has been only one-fifth of normal. Rainfall has been less than one-half normal over large portions of central and southern Mozambique as well as central and southern Malawi, central Zimbabwe, and parts of Botswana, Swaziland, and eastern and south-coastal South Africa. An exception to the dry pattern was northeastern coastal Mozambique (Nampula province), which reported as much as 358 mm of rain during the 10-day period. South Africa's maize triangle observed 3 to 20 mm (12-50% of normal). Thanks to previous rainfall, this area has seen near normal accumulations since November 1. Temperatures averaged near normal, except 2 to 4 degrees C below normal in Zimbabwe.
November 2003 - Rainfall was below normal across most of the region. Rainfall totals generally ranged between 1 and 50 mm (1-74% of normal). Dry conditions persisted in Lesotho, Swaziland, and southern Mozambique as rainfall totals in those areas ranged between 2 and 67 mm (5-55% of normal). However spotty moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm; 86-168% of normal) fell in pockets of South Africa’s Maize Triangle, northern Zimbabwe, and locally over northern Mozambique, parts of northwestern Botswana, and along the east coast of Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 25-250 mm over Angola and Zambia, while dryness prevailed over southern and coastal Namibia, and along the west coast of South Africa.
November 21-30 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (23-96 mm; 94-258% of normal) fell over portions of the Maize Triangle in South Africa. However, some areas in the Maize Triangle, especially in the Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North-West provinces, received little rain (4-39 mm; 12-46 % of normal). Light rains also fell over most of southwestern South Africa, portions of central and southern Zimbabwe, most of Mozambique and Malawi, and most of coastal and northern Madagascar. Moderate to heavy rains (21-120 mm; 100-396% of normal) soaked northern, central, and southeastern Zimbabwe. Light to moderate rains (65-102 mm; 107-153% of normal) also fell locally over central and coastal Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-75 mm) across Angola and Zambia. However, estimates showed locally heavy downpours (75-200 mm) over central Angola and western Zambia, while dryness prevailed across most of Namibia. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average, except over Mozambique, where they were 1 to 2 degrees C above average.
November 11-20 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains (18-65 mm; 220-283% of normal) soaked the western portions of the Maize Triangle in South Africa. The rain was, in some cases, produced by severe thunderstorms. A hailstorm was reported in North-West Province near the areas of Manthe and Manokwane on the 13th. Showers and thunderstorms (13-51 mm; 36-144% of normal) across Lesotho, Swaziland, and the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal increased moisture. Light showers developed across the eastern Maize Triangle (2-19 mm; 10-47% of normal), where short term dryness is becoming a concern. Early showers increased moisture across Botswana and interior northern Namibia (10-50 mm). Wet season rains were underway in Angola and western Zambia (30-80 mm), while dry conditions prevailed across eastern Zambia. Spotty showers were observed across Malawi and Mozambique. Showers (1-29 mm; 3-96 % of normal) across Zimbabwe increased top soil moisture for summer crop planting. Temperatures averaged near normal across most of southern Africa, with some below normal temperatures observed in Zimbabwe, Namibia and northern Mozambique.
November 1-10 2003 - Light rains or dry conditions prevailed over many parts of the region. South Africa’s maize Triangle, received less beneficial rains for the crops. Rainfall amounts in this area ranged between 1 and 85 mm (3-74% of normal). Scattered light rains continued to fall over Botswana, while dryness returned to southern Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and was sustained in northern Mozambique, Malawi, and most of Namibia. The exceptions to this dryness were southeastern Madagascar and portions of the Kwazulu/Natal Province of South Africa, where rainfall amounts ranged between 28 and 78 mm (97-174% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated widespread light to moderate rains across Angola, while central and northeastern Zambia received heavy downpours. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C below average across the region, except over most of South Africa and Botswana, where they were 1 to 3 degrees C above average.
October 2003 - Heavy spring rains (59-155 mm; 138-768% of normal) due to an unusually strong cold frontal passage mid month increased moisture for summer crop planting and eased moisture deficits across central and southern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique and the northeastern corner of South Africa. Occasional showers increased top soil moisture for planting across South Africa’s Maize Triangle, eastern Botswana and northeastern Namibia. Conditions were drier than normal (5-36 mm; 18-45% of normal) across KwaZulu-Natal province ins South Africa and across Lesotho. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above normal across eastern South Africa, and 1 to 3 degrees below normal across Zimbabwe.
October 21-31 2003 - Showers and thunderstorms along an old frontal boundary continued to increase moisture for agriculture and reduce long term moisture deficits across much of Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique (5-79 mm; 29-687% of normal). Except for some early showers in Napula province, conditions were dry in northern Mozambique and Malawi. Scattered showers dampened top soils in Zambia. Occasional showers boosted top soil moisture for main season crop planting across South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and northeastern Namibia (3-30 mm). More substantial rains (20-60 mm) across Angola indicate a possible start of the wet season. A warm spring airmass allowed readings to average 1 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal across most of South Africa. By contrast, temperatures were 1 to 5 degrees Celsius below normal across Zimbabwe, where clouds and rain held readings down.
October 11-20 2003 - Extremely wet weather for this time of year extended from southern Mozambique into southern and western Zimbabwe, with amounts of 50 to 100 mm ranging from 300 to over 1000% of normal. Lesser totals of 25 to 50 mm in northern South Africa and northern Zimbabwe were still around twice normal. Up to 100 mm also fell in extreme northeastern Botswana. Above-normal rains (10-40 mm, 140-300% or normal) covered southern areas of South Africa. Prolific showers (25-75 mm, 200-800% of normal) also fell in Zambia. Below-normal amounts (1-10 mm, 10-50% of normal) were mainly limited to southeastern South Africa (Kwazulu-Natal) and southern Swaziland and eastern Lesotho. Dry weather covered Namibia, western Botswana, and southern and western Angola. Estimated amounts of 10 to 50 mm in central and northern Angola ranged from 15 to 40 mm below normal. The strong cold front that swept across Zimbabwe and eastern South Africa on October 17-18 caused high temperatures that had been in the 20s to mid-30s early in the week to drop to the upper single digits and mid-teens. Temperatures for the 10-day period averaging 1 to 3 degrees C below normal extended from central South Africa into Zambia.
October 1-10 2003 - Dry conditions once again prevailed across the region. However, light to moderate rains (1-35 mm; 3-74% of normal) fell over the Kwazulu/Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. Spotty light rains also fell over the North-West Province. Unseasonably light rains (1-8 mm; 3-37% of normal) fell along the east coast of Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (1-75 mm) across northern Angola, while dry conditions prevailed over the south and across Zambia. Temperatures were generally 2 to 4 degrees C above average across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique. They were 1 to 2 degrees C below average across Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and northern Zambia.
September 2003 - Light to moderate but unseasonable rains (3-276 mm; 82-290% of normal) fell locally over northern and southern Namibia, the Kwazulu/Natal, Free State, and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa, southeastern Zimbabwe, southern coast of Mozambique, and northern Madagascar. Seasonable dryness prevailed in the remainder of the region. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-150 mm) over northern Angola.
September 21-30 2003 - Seasonable dryness returned as dry conditions prevailed across the region. However, light rains (4-15 mm) fell over parts of the Free State and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa, and locally over southern Zimbabwe. Light to moderate rains (1-60 mm) also fell over the eastern half and northwestern Madagascar. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dry conditions in Zambia and southern Angola. They ranged between 10 and 50 mm over northeastern Angola and parts of central Namibia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across the region, except over northern Mozambique, where they were near normal.
September 11-20 2003 - Early showers dampened top soils across South Africa’s Maize Triangle and across central Zimbabwe (1-23 mm; 85-665% of normal). Unusually early showers developed across interior Namibia, interior western South Africa and southwestern Botswana (4-26 mm) due to moist northerly winds from the low latitudes. An isolated and small scale, but very intense rainstorm struck northern Malawi. Most of the landlocked country, however, was dry. Temperatures averaged 2 to 6 degrees Celsius below normal across Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Near normal temperatures were reported across Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique.
September 1-10 2003 - Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonable dryness across much of the region. However, light to moderate rains (2-43 mm; 101-665% of normal) fell over the Kwazulu/Natal and pockets of the Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa, along the central coast of Mozambique, and locally over southeastern Zimbabwe. Moderate to heavy rains (42-164 mm; 96-288% of normal) also fell along the northeastern coast of Madagascar. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C below normal, except over the eastern half of South Africa, where they were 1 to 3 degrees C above normal.
August 2003 - Abnormally wet weather (40-150 mm, 135-235 percent of normal) prevailed in western Cape Province. The rest of the region saw mostly seasonal dryness, although South Africa’s maize triangle registered somewhat drier than normal (1-16 mm, 30-100 percent of normal) amounts. Temperatures averaged near to slightly below normal.
August 21-31 2003 - Well above-normal rainfall (20-40 mm, 120-350 percent of normal) hit western Cape Province. Seasonably dry weather prevailed elsewhere across the region. Temperatures were decidedly on the cool side, as the 10-day means ranged from 2 to 6 degrees C below normal in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
August 11-20 2003 - A strong winter storm brought heavy rains, higher elevations snows and gale force winds to Western Cape in South Africa. The precipitation from the storm (19-101 mm; 77-496% of normal) helped to ease cool season moisture deficits and favored winter wheat. Rough seas caused by the storm resulted in at least one ship wreck off the South African coast. Cold air from higher latitudes overspread southern South Africa in the wake of the storm. Temperatures averaged 2 to 6 degrees below average across much of South Africa. Elsewhere, light showers fell across southern portions of the Maize Triangle area and interior KwaZulu-Natal. Cool season showers occurred along the east coast of Madagascar. Elsewhere, seasonably dry conditions prevailed.
August 1-10 2003 - Moderate rains (7-36 mm; 97-224% of normal) eased cool season dryness across Western Cape. Showers extended east into Eastern Cape (8-43 mm; 57-174% of normal). Light showers (1-10 mm) fell across most of central and interior southern South Africa. Conditions were seasonably dry elsewhere. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal across Zimbabwe, and 1 to 3 degrees above normal in Namibia. Temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal across Madagascar.
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.