The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has dismissed a widely circulated message on social media that falsely claims South Africa will experience an extreme cold spell until August 2025 due to the “Aphelion phenomenon.”
Officials have urged the public to ignore and avoid sharing the misinformation, citing the scientific facts behind the country’s seasonal patterns.
“The Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit where it is farthest from the sun. According to research, it is expected to occur on 3 July at 3:54 pm,” SAWS confirmed.
However, the agency explained that this astronomical event has no real impact on temperatures.
No cold spell expected
Rather than bracing for a year-long chill, South Africans should prepare for a relatively mild winter. According to SAWS, the current official forecasts suggest warmer-than-usual conditions across most of the country. Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to remain above normal throughout the season, though occasional cold fronts and cut-off lows may still bring temporary drops in temperature.
Some southern coastal areas may experience slightly cooler weather, but these instances remain consistent with normal seasonal variations.
Climate Patterns and Public Awareness
The weather service also addressed the influence of global climate systems, noting that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has returned to a neutral state. As a result, it is expected to have minimal effect on South African winter weather this year. Additionally, below-normal rainfall is anticipated in the south-western interior and coastal regions across all phases of the winter season.
SAWS calls on the public to rely on verified sources and official updates to avoid unnecessary alarm.
How do you decide which sources to trust when viral messages about the weather begin to circulate?
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