Rainfall of about 5 mm is expected on Wednesday and Thursday (11 and 12 September) in the Bredasdorp district, where Nampo Kaap is being held from 11-14 September. Exhibitors may have to pack up in wet conditions on Sunday, as rain is expected from Sunday to Wednesday.

Johan van den Berg, an independent agricultural meteorologist, says several cold fronts may bring cold and rain to the southwestern Cape during the rest of the month, particularly in the Swartland, the Winelands and adjacent areas.

“Short-term forecasts show chances of light rain from 13-15 September, 18 September, and on 22 and 30 September. There are also chances of light rain during October,” he says.

Summer rainfall region

The heaviest rainfall in the next two weeks is expected over the Eastern Cape and coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the adjoining interior. More than 20 mm may fall between 15 and 27 September in places such as Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Coffee Bay, Port Edward, Durban and Richards Bay.

“More than 30 mm is possible from 15-27 September in Langkloof near Joubertina,” says Van den Berg. “Rain may also occur from 16-21 September over the Eastern Cape interior, including places like Jansenville, Cradock, Barkly East and Graaff-Reinet. There is even a chance of light rain in the eastern Free State and adjoining parts of KwaZulu-Natal, such as Bergville and Winterton.”

Although cold fronts will continue to affect the country in the coming weeks, it appears the rainfall pattern in the latter part of September will begin to move more eastward and northeastward. Van den Berg says this is part of the normal rainfall pattern, which extends northward and eventually westward later in spring and summer.