No Major Relief From Dryness Expected For South Africa
By Andrew Owen
Kansas City, November 3 (World Weather Inc.) – Soil conditions are still poor in South Africa’s main spring and summer crop production region. The country has been suffering from dryness for several months and is in need of significant rain to fix moisture deficits and to encourage spring and summer crop planting. The dryness promoted good winter wheat maturation and harvest 
conditions, but the lack of moisture also curtailed yields. Spring crop planting has been slow and will not improve until rain potentials increase. South Africa will go another week with little to no rain in key crop areas.
Southern portions of Western Cape reported enough rain during the past week to slow or delay winter wheat maturation and harvesting. Rain totals for the seven-day period ending this morning ranged from 0.25 to 1.20 inches with locally greater amounts in eastern fringes of the province. Rain amounts were high enough to bolster topsoil moisture to more adequate levels. No major quality issues were suspected due to the rain.
The main summer crop production region in eastern South Africa reported little or no rain during the past week. A few locations in Mpumalanga did receive 0.40 to 0.85 inch, although most of this rain was rapidly lost to evaporation. Soil moisture is critically short in most areas. Winter wheat maturation and harvesting advanced swiftly in the absence of significant rain while little other fieldwork took place because of the dryness.
Temperatures were often above average during the past week. Highest temperatures were in the 90s Fahrenheit with several locations warming above 100 degrees. The warm weather and lack of rain severely depleted the soil moisture.
Winter wheat harvesting normally continues through the end of December. Approximately 60% of the crop has recently been grown in Western Cape while the rest is produced in Free State and neighboring areas. Dry weather would promote the best environment for fieldwork in the coming weeks.
Corn, sunseed, soybean, cotton, and other spring crop planting normally occurs from October through December. Planting progress has been slow in recent weeks due to the lack of moisture in the soil. There is still time for better rain to improve planting and establishment conditions, although moisture issues are expected to continue for several weeks. El Nino tends to promote drier than usual conditions in South 
Africa, which has been prevalent for several weeks. The continued dryness will further raise concern for production this year. A small portion of the summer crop is irrigated and a part of that crop has likely been seeded, but a much larger portion of the nation will be dependent upon seasonal rainfall for planting and development. Water supply is already suspected of being low because of dryness that already impacted southern Africa last summer.
Only brief periods of light rain will occur during the next seven days. Much of the rain that does fall will be lost to evaporation leaving the majority of the nation too dry to support plant life. There is potential for some needed rain in the eastern half of South Africa during the November 11 – 18 time period, but confidence is low and the situation will be closely monitored.
Temperatures will trend close to normal through the beginning of next week. Winter wheat maturation and harvesting will advance swiftly until significant rain fall. Yields will notably lower than usual because of dryness this season.
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