Cape Town Brown Haze

Every year during the period from March to August the CMA experiences episodes of pollution, which are associated with calm atmospheric conditions and low level inversions. These conditions give rise to a visible brown haze, which has been a cause for concern for many years. The Energy Research Institute of the University of Cape Town investigated this phenomenon and in 1997 published their final report indicating the source of the brown haze as well as recommending ways to combat future increase in air pollution levels.

An additional study will be undertaken in 2003 to determine the spatial distribution of the haze. Ongoing information on this project will be made available on the Brown Haze II page.