Balmy weather to continue in Bay

BREAK out the sunscreen and don those bikinis – beach weather beckons for New Year’s Day. Temperatures are expected to range between a pleasant 20°C and 26°C in Port Elizabeth and between 20°C and 30°C in Uitenhage tomorrow. However, those attending outdoor parties tonight can expect light to moderate southwesterly winds, with isolated showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. But Soul Good Event Management owner Darren Mungur, who is organising the annual Summer Season New Year’s Eve bash on Hobie Beach, said nothing held party-goers back when it came to New Year. “It’s not uncommon to have rain on New Year’s,” he said.

“Over the last 16 years I’ve been in this business, it has rained on New Year’s two-thirds of the time. “People are up for [a party] and a few drops [of rain] or wind won’t hold them back.” Mungur said the only time an outdoor event such as tonight’s would be cancelled was if there were torrential downpours, lightning or winds in excess of 80km/h. He said the fireworks display that would usher in the new year would not be affected by wind or rain. “The kind of fireworks we use are all computer controlled so they can compensate for the wind,” Mungur said. Looking ahead at the week to come, SA Weather Service forecaster Mandisa Manentsa said warm to hot weather could be expected.