{
  "id": 5247323,
  "title": "Wetter September expected before heatwaves arrive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/wetter-september-expected-before-heatwaves-arrive",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-03T04:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/weather/wetter-september-expected-before-heatwaves-arrive/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africa is bracing for a stormy and wet start to spring, which could lead to heatwaves and below-average rainfall in the summer, according to a meteorologist. Michelle du Plessis from Vox Weather explained that while some areas may experience a wetter beginning to the season in September, particularly in central and eastern regions, the focus is now on the strengthening El Niño and its potential impact on summer weather. Du Plessis noted that large parts of the Northern Cape and western interior saw an exceptionally dry August, with some regions receiving only 25% of their typical rainfall for the month and some locations experiencing one of their driest winters on record. The unusually warm winter, with temperatures 2-4°C above normal in significant parts of the Northern Cape, Western Cape, North West, Free State, and northern Eastern Cape, has also played a role. A strong cut-off low is forecast to arrive in South Africa during the first week of September, bringing a significant change in conditions. Du Plessis expects wetter-than-normal conditions to persist across parts of central and eastern South Africa during the first half of the month, with above-normal rainfall possible in eastern areas during the second week, and potentially continuing into the third week. However, by the final week of September, the pattern becomes more uncertain, with the potential for below-normal rainfall along parts of the south and east coasts, while wetter conditions could occur in certain areas of Limpopo, North West, the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Free State. The upcoming El Niño event, expected to be very strong, will likely make 2027 the warmest year on record, according to Christien Engelbrecht, lead scientist at the South African Weather Service. A very strong El Niño, with sea surface temperature anomalies exceeding 1.5°C in the eastern central tropical Pacific Ocean, is already underway, and Engelbrecht warned that this year could see the hottest summer yet. While below-normal rainfall is the most likely outcome for South Africa's summer, the service's October to December forecast predicts a high likelihood of drier and warmer conditions, similar to the 2015-16 strong El Niño event, which brought unprecedented heatwaves to the region.",
  "summary": "A strengthening El Niño could make 2027 the hottest year on record, with increased heatwave risks across South Africa.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}