Latest news with #AnnetteBotha
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Winter arrives with double cold fronts and chilly nights
Experts warn colder nights and frost are likely due to wet soil from recent rainfall. The first of the winter cold fronts moving over parts of the country is a preview of the rest of the season. Vox Weather meteorologist Annette Botha said it was officially winter in South Africa, although some argue winter only starts on 21 June. The first of two cold fronts moving in over the country with chilly temperatures are a taste of what's to come. Cold front a taste of what's to come 'A stronger, more intense cold front is set to hit on Saturday. On Friday it will be windy in the interior with gusting northwesterly winds ahead of the strong cold front expected to move over the Western Cape,' she said. Vox Weather meteorologist Michelle du Plessis said there was a difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons. 'Meteorological seasons are based on annual temperature cycle and follow the calendar, so every three months is a new season,' she said. ALSO READ: SA Weather forecasts cool and fine weather with rains and winds 'Astronomical seasons are based on the position of the earth relative to the sun and use solstices and equinoxes,' she added. Du Plessis said higher rainfall didn't necessarily mean lower temperatures in winter. 'Not necessarily colder overall – but wetter soils can play a role in how temperatures behave at night. Wetter soil from recent rainfall plays role in night temps 'When soils are wetter from good autumn rainfall, they to lose heat faster overnight, especially under clear skies. This can lead to colder nights and more frequent frost, even if daytime temperatures remain fairly mild. 'So while it doesn't mean we'll have a colder winter in general, the risk of frost can increase, particularly in inland regions like the Free State, Gauteng and the highveld, where frost is already common.' Du Plessis said after a wet summer or autumn, the soil holds onto more moisture going into winter. ALSO READ: The cold front is here! Here's how long it will last for [VIDEO] 'That doesn't mean the whole winter will be colder. Temperatures depend more on the weather systems that move over the country and whether we get bursts of cold, subpolar air, but it can make nights feel colder,' she said. Du Plessis said historical climate patterns from the SA Weather Service show frost can occur even in warmer-than-average winters, especially when skies are clear and soil moisture is high. This allows surface temperatures to drop rapidly at night. 'The latest seasonal models are showing above-average temperatures overall this winter. We'll still get those icy cold snaps like every year,' she said. Above-average temps overall this winter Last month, the SA Weather Service issued the seasonal climate watch from May to September. According to the seasonal forecast, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation has returned to a neutral state and will be in a neutral state for the foreseeable future. The southwestern and the southern and eastern coastal areas are expected to receive mostly below-normal rainfall early, midand late-winter. The minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be above normal for most parts during the winter, with the exception of the southern coastal areas that are expected to be below normal in parts. NOW READ: Get your blankets out: Cold front to hit Gauteng
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Life's a breeze for weather girl Michelle du Plessis
The 27-year-old describes reading the weather as a tough job. Michelle du Plessis – better known as one of two Vox weather forecasters – celebrated her 27th birthday earlier this month. She spoke about overcoming difficult seasons, the winds of change and starting over in Cape Town all before the age 30. Dressed up as a meteorologist Du Plessis lives in the Western Cape after relocating there for work reasons in 2023 and said she is a Pretorian by heart. 'I was born and raised in Centurion and matriculated at Zwartkop High School. I am one of five children, so family means everything to me. I grew up in a big household full of fun and games,' she said. Du Plessis was the middle child with an older sister, one of twins, six years her senior and two younger brothers. ALSO READ: Annette Botha: SA's Wonder Woman of weather 'I loved playing school with my brothers. Teaching was something I enjoyed. I also enjoyed school and excelled academically,' she said. Du Plessis said she loved maths and geography and, later, enjoyed science. She quips when she looks back at her career dress-up day in matric, she had accomplished her dream. 'I dressed up as a meteorologist, I used a hairbrush as a microphone and umbrella as a prop with leaves in my hair, not knowing a few years later it would be my day job,' she said. Graduated cum laude She describes reading the weather as a tough job. 'I cannot watch my first show, it made me cringe. But I learned from the best,' she said. Du Plessis said she loved maths so much that if meteorology didn't work out for her, she would be teaching the subject. She didn't come from a family that had obtained degrees, so she didn't know the careers to study. READ MORE: From surgery to storytelling: The remarkable journey of Prof Berend Mets She enrolled at the University of Pretoria to study meteorology and completed her honours degree during Covid, only to find out that the forecasting certificate she had to complete at the SA Weather Service had been discontinued for that year. 'I went through the whole degree, graduated cum laude, only to find out that there was nowhere for me to go. 'During that time, I worked three jobs to keep my head above water. I worked as a bookkeeper, au pair and taught extra math classes.' And then the phone rang. Du Plessis wins Vox Weather presenter search It was Annette Botha from Vox Weather inviting her for a presentation at the Vox Weather's open day as they were searching for a new meteorologist. Du Plessis walked away as the winner. 'About a year later, they approached me with a job offer in 2022.' Du Plessis had to leave Centurion and move to Cape Town to start her new job at the beginning of 2023. READ MORE: Mzansi's People: The making of a makeup artist She hasn't looked back from day one. 'I am someone who doesn't give up easily and am hard working. So, even if I didn't end up where I am now, I would have made a success of my circumstances. 'Yes, it took time and it was hard to get, but it was worth it,' she said. Du Plessis said she would always be grateful to the Burger family, who took her in at the end of Grade 11 when her family was going through a rough patch. 'They took care of me like one of their daughters,' she said. Family Besides missing highveld afternoon thundershowers in summer, Du Plessis also misses her family and being able to pop in for a coffee at her parents after work, or having a potjie. Earlier this month, her mother visited her for my birthday. 'I couldn't let her leave without making her famous veggie soup and extra to freeze for later,' she said. Du Plessis, who got married in October, said she was looking for ward to a family of her own. 'I cannot see myself growing old without having offspring of my own,' she said. She loves being out and about on the job, be it snow chasing on the Matroos mountains or visiting places for their Beyond the Forecast vlogs. 'When I am not in front of the camera reading weather, I am either on the club's hockey field or out hiking,' she said. Du Plessis enjoys her new life in Cape Town, taking cold swims in the ocean and reading the weather. NOW READ: From software sales to sound healing, one woman's journey
