rki.news | Source: Xinhua
CAPE TOWN, Sept. 2 — South Africa could experience its hottest year on record in 2027 as a very strong El Nino event develops, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) said.
SAWS said Tuesday that a strong El Nino had formed in the Pacific Ocean and was expected to intensify during the Southern Hemisphere spring. Recent sea surface temperatures in the eastern central tropical Pacific have already exceeded the threshold for a very strong event.
A strong El Nino is defined by temperatures more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal, while a very strong event exceeds 2 degrees. Forecasts indicate the anomaly could surpass 3 degrees.
SAWS said El Nino typically brings below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures to southern Africa, although drought is not inevitable.
Its October-December 2026 forecast indicates below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures across most of South Africa, with similar conditions expected through January 2027.
SAWS warned that the combination of very strong El Nino conditions and global warming could make 2027 the warmest year recorded. It also cautioned that severe heatwaves and water shortages could increase if rainfall remains below normal.