MGENI RIVER: Climate

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Map of the MGENI River

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TEMPERATURE

The mean annual temperature ranges between 12°C and 14°C in the west to between 20°C and 22°C at the coast. Maximum temperatures are experienced in the summer months from December to February and minimum temperatures in winter in June and July.(Ref 2)

The Water Management Area experiences a high relative humidity in summer in a similar pattern as the rainfall. There is a daily mean peak in February, ranging from 68% in the inland areas to greater than 72% for the coast and a daily mean low in July, ranging from 60% in the inland areas to greater than 68% at the coast. Potential mean annual gross evaporation (as measured by ‘A’ pan) ranges from between 1 600 mm and 1 800 mm in the west to between 1 400 mm and 1 600 mm in the coastal areas. (Ref 2)

RAINFALL

Rainfall over the area is markedly orographically-related. (Ref 2)

Average annual rainfall varies from between 1 000 mm to 1 200 mm along the coast to greater than 1 500 mm in the north-west along the Drakensberg mountains. Rain shadows occur in the interior valley basins of the major rivers where the annual rainfall can drop to below 700 mm. The peak rainfall months are December to February in the inland areas and November to March along the coast. The rainfall is seasonal with most rain falling in summer from October to March. (Ref 2)

References

Ref 2:  Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa. 2004. Internal Strategic Perspective: Mvoti to Mzimkulu Water Management Area : Prepared by Tlou & Matji (Pty) Ltd, WRP (Pty) Ltd, and DMM cc on behalf of the Directorate: National Water Resource Planning (East). DWAF Report No. P WMA 11/000/00/0304.

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