2010 World Cup Soccer: The unexpected South African environment and climate
If it wasn’t the lessened number of bikini clad women in the World Cup stands of South Africa at this time of the year, the temperature drop to a point of freezing would have finally given the chills of realization to football fans across South Africa 2010 that winter has arrived.
The temperature has descended to the 40 Fahrenheit and in some parts to a point of making water freeze. It should have been apparent from the World Cup’s opening ceremony that the people were dressed a bit too much for the occasion.
When looking at the Table Mountain right behind the Cape Town Stadium, it gives a perfect picture of what the climate and environment of South Africa can be like. The Cape Town Stadium will be fired up in the news pretty often this year thanks to the World Cup, but the reason will be its varying temperature.
The stadium will host a couple of key games too which are likely to be met by unexpected results and controversies. The Mayor Cape Town, Alderman Dan Plato and Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille, gave the key to the stadium to FIFA's Secretary General, Jerome Valcke on the 26th of May along with other officials.
This is the first FIFA World Cup to be held on the African continent and it also happens to be the first to take place in the winters since the last winter World Cup 1978 in Argentina. South Africa indeed is a country of very diverse environment and climate. The mega-event is being held in the Southern Hemisphere which means warm days to mild and cooler nights.
In the higher altitudes of the country, the mountains have taken up their issues as well. They occupy the north eastern region where temperatures drop well below freezing during the night. The case would be better represented with the city of Bloemfontein which has an average high temperature of 17 degrees C (63 F) and an average low temperature of -2 C (28 F).
The cold weather is not just limited to the mountainous cities but the weather along the coast is a bit nippy as well because of the sea breeze. The coastal areas of South Africa experience a considerable rainfall in this part in season. Cape Town receives 93 mm of rainfall in June on average. It may not be among the wettest place in comparison to Johannesburg's average of 7.6 mm in those months, but there is still quite a big difference.
Climate is not the only factor that can affect football in South Africa. This is one reason why teams train in various altitudes not just to get accustomed to lesser air pressure but the difference in the fields and the behaviour of the ball are different as well. It can affect the game so much that in 2007, FIFA declared that international matches can’t be played in an elevation of above 2,500 meters.
There is a major deviation in the altitudes of the football stadiums being used in South Africa. In South Africa 2010, six out of 10 stadiums used in the tournament are more than 4,000 feet above sea level.
The spice to the mixture is added when the semi-final of the tournament will be played at sea level and the final on a high altitude field. It is expected that there will be light rain during this year’s mega-tournament. There isn’t much rain expected inland but there might be some at Cape Town.
This unfortunately would mean further colder weather in South Africa. Let’s hope that this doesn’t dampen the spirit and the fever stays high.
Tags: