The 2024-25 rainfall season in Zimbabwe exhibited significant temporal and spatial variability, characterized by a delayed onset, and delay in the cessation. The season's effective start was delayed by approximately one month, with most areas satisfying the onset criteria by mid December 2024 rather than the typical mid-November long-term mean. This delay was compounded by false starts in November, where early rainfall was followed by a prolonged mid-December dry spell exceeding 10 days, disrupting critical early-season moisture availability. The delayed onset had cascading effects on agricultural planning and water resource management across the country