KNYSNA NEWS - After 2023 turned out to be Knysna's wettest year in recent memory, the new year got off to a very modest start with little more than half the amount of rainfall that was recorded in the month of January last year.

This is according to rainfall reports provided and published by Steenbok Nature Reserve on Leisure Isle. Last year the teams at Steenbok recorded no less than 960mm. 

This number exceeded both the 10-year average of 667mm and the 20-year average of 759mm.

If local farmers and rainwater collectors have been hoping for much of the same this year, they would be disappointed.

In January 2023, a total of 53mm fell in Knysna, while the 10-year average comes in at 62mm. In stark contrast, January this year saw a measly 28mm of rain recorded at Steenbok. 

This is less than half the 10-year average, and just over half what was recorded last year.

Traditionally the months to come have been fairly modest in terms of rainfall, but saw lots of rain in 2023.

Perhaps a few rain dances are in order if we are to see a repeat of last year's rainfall in 2024.

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