Extreme rainfall events are often associated with significant societal and infrastructural impacts through human and animal fatalities, damage to or loss of property, loss of agricultural products, and flood insurance claims which are worth millions of rands annually. Several studies have shown an increase in the intensity of extreme rainfall over many regions of South Africa, as well as spatial heterogeneity in these changes, especially in the Eastern Cape, southern Free State and parts of Kwazulu-Natal. This study investigated changes in the characteristics of extreme rainfall by establishing relationships between existing station data and the daily synoptic states. We addressed the dynamical aspect of extreme rainfall in contemporary climate to provide a process based understanding of observed changes in extreme rainfall, and build a basis for understanding future change.

Time frames: 2010-2012

Funder: The Water Research Commission (WRC)

Partners: –

For further details: Contact Dr Chris Lennard