KNYSNA NEWS - While it's not news to any Knysna resident that the town enjoyed a rather rainy and wet 2023, readers might be surprised to learn just how much it really was. According to rainfall reports from Steenbok Nature Reserve, Knysna received a total of 960mm of rain, which exceeds both the 10- and 20-year averages.
The rainfall reports offer insight into the rainfall patterns last year.
The wettest month was May by a country mile, when a total of 176mm of rain was recorded. Next in line was July with 132mm, with March in third at 117mm of rain.
This is in stark contrast to 2022, when only December saw 100mm of rain. Eleven of the 12 months in 2023 exceeded the monthly rainfall figures in 2022, with August the only exception when 28mm of rain fell.
However, August wasn't the driest month of the year. The month of November saw only 7mm of rain.
The rainfall in 2023 also exceeded the 10-year average nine out of 12 times. August, October and November were the only months when this was not the case.
An interesting fact highlighted in the report is that, while it was the wettest month in 2023, July is historically Knysna's driest month over the past 10 years.
The progression of rain throughout 2023, compared with 2022 and the 10-year average. Graphics: Steenbok Nature Reserve
This while Knysna's two driest months in 2023 (August in November) are among the top five rainfall months in the historical 10-year average.
The 960mm of rain that fell over the course of the year far exceeds the 10-year average of 667mm, as well as the 20-year average of 759mm.
Last year's rainfall per month compared to 2022 and the 10-year average.
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