💪 READY AND RESILIENT: Zimbabwe Unveils 2026/27 Climate Outlook to Protect Lives and Livelihoods 🌧️
📢 OFFICIAL: ZIMBABWE GEARS UP FOR A CHALLENGING 2026/27 RAINFALL SEASON 🇿🇼
The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu (MP), was the guest of honour at the National Climate Outlook Forum (NACOF) held today at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare. The Minister officially presented the 2026/27 Seasonal Rainfall Outlook. 🌧️
🗣️ In her keynote address, Minister Ndlovu emphasised that the seasonal climate statement is a critical national planning tool, designed to help government, businesses, and communities prepare early and make informed decisions before weather hazards turn into disasters.
She highlighted the importance of strong early warning systems, referencing past events like Cyclone Idai and the Mbuya Nehanda ferry tragedy, and praised the launch of the "Early Warnings for All" initiative in Mutare last month.
KEY POINTS FROM THE 2026/27 FORECAST:
🔴 El Niño Effect: The forecast is issued against a background of a warm (El Niño) phase, which is projected to persist, increasing the likelihood of below-normal rainfall across Zimbabwe.
📉 Rainfall Outlook:
▪️ Oct-Dec (OND) 2026:*Increased chance of *below-normal rainfall across the entire country.
▪️ Jan-Mar (JFM) 2027: The southern and western parts of the country should expect normal to below-normal rainfall, while the rest of the country is forecast to receive below-normal rainfall.
🌡️ Temperature: Warmer-than-normal conditions are expected for the first three months of the season.
🗓️ Seasonal Onset: The start of the season is projected to be highly erratic, with a significant portion of the country expected to see no effective start to the rainfall season. The analogue seasons are 2023/24 and 2015/16, both of which had widespread onset failure.
The Minister urged all sectors—especially agriculture, water, energy, and disaster management—to use this outlook for planning and preparedness. She called for a whole-of-government approach to strengthen resilience and protect lives and livelihoods in line with Vision 2030.
The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) will continue to provide daily and 10-day forecasts, which are crucial for short-term planning. Stay tuned to official channels for updates! 📻📱
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