Speaker
Description
This study investigates temporal trends and variability in maximum and minimum temperatures in Vuwani, South Africa, using observational data from the Southern African Universities Radiometric Network (SAURAN) spanning the period from April 2015 to December 2023. Understanding local-scale temperature dynamics is essential for assessing the impacts of climate change, particularly in climate-sensitive regions such as Southern Africa. The analysis employs statistical techniques and graphical methods, including histograms, monthly comparisons, and annual trend evaluations, to examine temperature distributions, seasonal variability, and long-term changes.
The results reveal a discernible increase in maximum temperatures over the study period, with 2023 recording the highest maximum and minimum temperature values, indicating an intensification of warming conditions. While mean temperatures exhibit variability without a consistent monotonic trend, the increasing frequency of extreme temperature events suggests emerging climatic instability. Seasonal analysis further highlights notable warming during the summer months (November to February), with recent years showing higher temperature peaks than earlier observations.
These findings are consistent with broader regional evidence of climate change and underscore the growing vulnerability of Southern Africa to rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions. The study contributes to localized climate knowledge by providing empirical evidence of temperature trends derived from high-resolution radiometric observations. Such insights are critical for informing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in key sectors, including agriculture, water resource management, and public health.
| Apply for student award at which level: | Honours |
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