The front

[Jim_From_Zim]

Nav, you're waaaaaayy off. Yours is more like a reverse storm front on the highveld

Basically, a cold front is a low pressure system turning clockwise. We all know that air moves from a high pressure to a low pressure right? So as the front turns past cape town, it leaves a void behind it that needs to be replaced. So the warmer air is 'sort of' being sucked in behind it which comes from the high pressure that gets fed warmer air from the ITCZ (inter tropical convergence zone) and mid atlantic. This high pressure sits to the W of the country and feeds the back side of the low pressures that swing past the cape. Hence the rain comes when there is a NW wind. Warm moist air over a cold surface = rain.

Make sense?

[Jim_From_Zim]

Oh, and if you wonder why we get wet in winter and Jhb stay's dry where as its the reverse for summer seasons, here's the reason.

Winter: Note the low pressure that sits off the tip of the country with the 2 high pressures either side of it (as noted in above post).
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Now in summer time, the low pressure moves to the middle of the country and the 2 high pressures move north with it, sort of staying in line as it is now. So when the low swings across the middle of the country, it is fed by warm moist air being brought in by the high pressure system to the W and N of it again.
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Here endth the very basic wx lesson for the day.

[Roy]

I like this it feels like Im back at School doing Geography and a hell of alot more interesting than my job at the moment

[Navrik]

But that is exactly what I said Jim...but just in plain old Engrish :blue-badgrin:

[Rory]

So I'm right JFZ!?

[Jim_From_Zim]

Not entirely correct but on the right path

[Riprap]

Jim is correct and with that front turning clockwise, it brings NW (gusted 105km/h last night....) and this in my part of the country!

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And we've had the driest May and June in almost 13 years! Gooie genade.....

[Q]

So, JFZ. Can we go fish this weekend?

[Rory]

Not entirely correct but on the right path

Story of my life that is! Lol!

What's with the fires in Bettys Bay Q!?

Insurance quotes coming through here by the ton!?

[Q]

I believe it is under control. And the rain storm helped.
But ja, that area can be hit quit seriously.

[Jim_From_Zim]

So, JFZ. Can we go fish this weekend?

I believe so. Saturday and sunday will be on a rising pressure (post frontal), so it will be slightly tougher than normal.

And Rip, thats devastating, sorry to see that shit.

[Riprap]

Ja boet, yesterday was the worst day of the fire season so far but the pilots got in lots of flying time...........

[smurf]

All you freakin rocket scientists...you want to know all that weather stuff so you have a good excuse for a bad fishing day !! :blue-biggrin:

[Rory]

All you freakin rocket scientists...you want to know all that weather stuff so you have a good excuse for a bad fishing day !! :blue-biggrin:

Bwhahahaha! True story Smurf!!

[Riprap]

This comes out of my archives and although it's a historic outlook, it explains very nicely how our "normal" weather patterns are supposed to work in Southern Africa.
Apologies for the language for you Zimbos but the author is of Dutch descent.

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