Page 11 - 21 Cotton SA February 2020

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DAMS AND CLIMATE

FORECAST

Sterkfontein Dam

South African Weather Service report as on 27 January 2020
compiled by Tobie Jooste, Cotton SA

CURRENT DAM LEVELS COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR
GARIEP DAM LOSKOP DAM VAAL DAM

78,6% 101,6%
(Previous year: 58,7%) (Previous year: 82,7%)
56,7%
(Previous year: 73,2%)
STERKFONTEIN DAM VANDERKLOOF DAM
BLOEMHOF DAM

78,6%
(Previous year: 61,5%)
91,9% 60,3%
(Previous year: 93,9%) (Previous year: 70,1%)

SEASONAL CLIMATE WATCH FOR JANUARY TO MAY 2020
The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is In general, however, there is still uncertainty
currently in a borderline weak El Niño state, and about the expected rainfall conditions for the rest
it is expected to remain on this border between of the summer period. The rainfall forecast for
the weak and neutral states for the rest of the late summer (January to March) and early autumn
summer season. (February to April) from the SAWS/NOAA-GFDL
With the weather suddenly warming up during Multi-Model system indicates a greater probability
the past two months in the equatorial Pacific of below-normal rainfall over most of the country.
Ocean, higher sea surface temperatures, and the Mostly above-normal temperatures are expected
consequent higher likelihood of a weak El Niño this summer over most of South Africa, except for the
state, a drier than normal late summer season is far south-western parts with below-normal minimum
expected. temperatures throughout late summer and autumn.

Volume 22 No 1 February 2020 | 11