Record July Rainfall and a Near Miss of a Massive Mid-Latitude Cyclone

On the back of record rain experienced in Cape Town in July, a very interesting piece on the Severe Weather and Information Centre SA Facebook Page describes how a massive mid-latitude cyclone just missed South Africa yesterday.

An analysis of rainfall data from South African Weather Service (SAWS) stations reveals that the Cape Town City (Oranjezicht) station recorded 317,6 mm of rain in July 2024, far exceeding the long-term average of 128,0 mm for this month. This notable total not only exceeded the historical average, but it is also the highest monthly rainfall recorded for July since comprehensive records began in 1960. In contrast, the previous year saw only 81,8 mm of rain in July, highlighting the major difference in rainfall between these two years.

Additionally, the Cape Town International Airport station (Figure 1) recorded the highest monthly rainfall total since the station’s inception in July 1956, exceeding three times the average for July. This remarkable record underscores the intensity and impact of the multiple cold fronts experienced throughout the month.