The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services says the country should expect normal to above normal cumulative rainfall amounts between now and March. This is according to the Malawi 10-day Weather and Agrometeorological Bulletin released by the department today.
The Bulletin argues that rainfall is expected to be influenced by La Nina conditions that have been established over eastern-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Global models project that these conditions are likely to persist throughout the season.
It asserts that during January to March 2023, most areas in the south, center and the north are expected to receive normal to above-normal cumulative rainfall amounts.
The weather wisemen say the rainfall forecast for the second part of the 2022/2023 season is that at national level, there are higher prospects of normal to above normal cumulative rainfall amounts over most parts during sub-season January, February and March (JFM) of the 2022/2023 season.
During the month of February 2023, normal to above normal rainfall amounts are anticipated for majority of areas over Malawi with pockets of normal to below normal projections for some areas of the country, particularly central region. It says wet conditions are anticipated over Malawi during the first 10 days (dekad) of February 2023. The anticipated dekadal rainfall amounts are generally within the normal to above normal categories of the historical dekadal amount with isolated cases of normal to below normal projections over central and southern areas of the country.
The Bulletin reports that During the last dekad of January 2023, scattered rainfall activities were experienced over the country. The recorded dekadal rainfall amounts were within the normal to above normal ranges of historical dekadal rainfall amounts in majority of areas of the country with pockets of normal to below normal rainfall amounts particularly over southern areas.
It says stations that recorded at least 100.0mm of rainfall during the period under review included Njolomole in Ntcheu which recorded 300.6mm in 8 rainy days, Neno Agiculture recorded 203.4mm in 4 rainy days, Lujeri Tea Estate in Mulanje recorded 186.5mm in 7 rainy days, Mwimba Agriculture Research station in Kasungu recorded 170.8mm in 7 rainy days, Kasungu Meteorological station recorded 152.6mm in 8 rainy days, Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba recorded 149.2mm in 7 rainy days, Lisasadzi in Kasungu recorded 145.4mm in 9 rainy days, Mbawa Research station in Mzimba recorded 142.0mm in 6 rainy days, Chitedze Meteorological station in Lilongwe recorded 141.4mm in 7 rainy days, Liwonde in Balaka recorded 129.0mm in 6 rainy days, Chintheche Agriculture in Nkhata Bay recorded 128.4mm in 6 rainy days, Chiradzulu Agriculture recorded 127.9mm in 6 rainy days, Nkhande in Ntcheu recorded 125.7mm in 7 rainy days, Mpemba veterinary in Blantyre recorded 121.1mm in 8 rainy days, Lifuwu Agriculture Research station in Salima recorded 120.7mm, Chileka International Airport in Blantyre recorded 120.3mm in 7 rainy days, Zombwe Agriculture in Mzimba recorded 116.8mm in 10 rainy days, Dedza meteorological station recorded 113.7mm in 11 rainy days, Thyolo Meteorological station recorded 108.6mm in 6 rainy days, Mulanje Boma recorded 104.7 mm in 7 rainy days, Dwangwa in Nkhotakota recorded 103.8mm in 5 rainy days and Bvumbwe Meteorological station in Thyolo recorded 103.3mm in 8 rainy days.
The Bulletin further forecasts that in the 2022/2023 the anticipated rainfall amounts, are going to ensure continued availability of water for plant growth and development as the major crops such maize, soya, beans among others, are at a critical stage where moisture availability is very critical.
Furthermore, it advises that farmers should continuously monitor the growing season for proper planning and utilization of the forecast in their various agricultural activities like fertilizer application and banking. In terms of temperature, it says normal conditions are anticipated to prevail during the month of February over majority of areas of the country with pockets of warmer than usual temperature conditions over some areas in all the three regions of the country. It suggests that cooler than usual conditions are projected over some southern areas of the country.
END.