It was the first biblical rainfall to kick-off the official winter season in the region. The Cape Town weather forecast promised – and delivered – some epic rain for the end of the weekend, with some regions pushing 90mm.
Figures published by the SA Weather Service (Saws) show that pretty much everywhere in the municipality of Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the West Coast got in on the act.
How much rain has fallen in the Western Cape and Cape Town?
(Figures given in mm)
Where did the most rain fall in Cape Town on Monday?
- Kirstenbosch – 86mm
- Jonkershoek – 53mm
- Villiersdorp – 47mm
- Grabouw – 43mm
- Strand – 41mm
Cape Town weather: Good news for the dams
For those of us still keeping our eye on the peripheral threat of day zero, this should be a soothing read. Theewaterskloof dam is based in Villiersdorp, an hour-and-a-half’s drive away from Cape Town.
To get almost 50mm of rain in such a short period of time is a godsend for the facility – which is only 36% full at the minute – as well as the entire city.
Grabouw came fourth and it is also home to both of the Steenbras dams. They are smaller facilities, but their health and well being are equally as important as their gargantuan cousin’s – Theewaterskloof is the biggest dam in the Western Cape.
Elsewhere, Wellington and Franschhoek chalked up 30mm of the wet stuff, and the City of Cape Town got more than 25mm. Showers are set to persist intermittently across the province today, meaning these already-impressive figures will be even higher by the end of Monday.
But it’s not all rosy
However, the initial joy of the dams filling up is tempered by the short-term effects of the rain. Traffic chaos and the possibility of flooding have also played a chaotic hand on Monday morning, leaving some locals exasperated.
When the weekly dam levels are reported on Monday, it’s not clear if this rainfall will be counted due to its timing. However, if not this week, then next Monday promises to be a bumper result for the region.
Originally published on The South African – http://bit.ly/2M8Yjlo