Heatwaves in SA are occurring more frequently and are expected to last longer- report

  • 📰 IOL
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 73 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 32%
  • Publisher: 51%

South Africa News News

A new scientific paper describes how weather and climate extremes have become more frequent because of climate change, resulting in negative environmental and socio-economic impacts in many regions of the world.

Heatwaves in much of South Africa are occurring more frequently and are expected to last longer - over two weeks in rare circumstances - and to become more intense.

While heatwaves have been extensively studied in continental Europe and Australia, they “have not received rigorous research attention in SA, even though they have devastating impacts on society and livelihoods”. “We found that the 30-year period average maximum temperatures may rise by up to 6°C across much of the interior of South Africa by 2070-2099 with respect to 1983-2012 under a high GHG concentration.”

Heatwaves are also expected to last longer, particularly across the interior, and become more intense, which the authors say is in agreement with earlier findings about the nature of heatwaves in the 21st century. The north-western parts of the country are expected to have the most drastic increase in heatwave occurrences.

However, the coasts will continue to experience heatwaves of relatively shorter duration compared with interior regions. Winter heatwaves are expected to extend to the eastern interior and to also increase in intensity reaching over 47°C/30-year.Climate change is causing extreme heat events in sub-Saharan Africa but official records suggest they are not happening, despite the region being a “literal hot spot for heatwave activity”.

“Their requirement is that one of the following criteria be met: 1) 10 or more people that die due to the event, or 2) 100 or more people affected, 3) a declaration of a state of emergency and 4) a call for international assistance

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 46. in ZA

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

How racism in SA cricket forced Mpho Selowa to take up Uganda nationalityFormer South Africa Under-17 and University Sports South Africa (USSA) cricketer Mpho Selowa has described how lack of opportunities forced him to take up Ugandan nationality to realise his childhood dream of playing international cricket.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

SA still heading for a fiscal cliff, warns investment bankBank of America Securities says debt levels remain on an unsustainable trajectory despite government’s ambitions
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

OPINION: British Lions tour the best news for rugby in SA RugbyOut of the COVID19 gloom that has beset South African rugby came the bolt of lightning confirmation that the 2021 lionsofficial tour will go ahead, writes MikeGreenaway67 | IOLsport
Source: IOL - 🏆 46. / 51 Read more »

It's now easier for SA customers to take legal action against banks | Fin24Some of SA's biggest banks have agreed to remove clauses that precluded their conveyancing firms from representing said banks' clients in legal action brought against them | Fin24
Source: News24 - 🏆 4. / 80 Read more »

Wits School of Accountancy is the leading contributor of black accountants to SA businessSPONSORED | Register for the PGDIP SA and prepare for the business role of a lifetime
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »