Highlights:

• The country is expected to receive normal to below normal rainfall for the OND

Highlights:

• Long term mean rainfall for October-November-December (1981-2010)

Summary:

• This national forecast is being issued after the consensus regional rainfall outlook shared during the Twenty Ninth Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook (SARCOF-29), held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 26th to 28th of August 2024.
• The Meteorological Services Department, within the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife has issued the national rainfall forecast through the National Climate Outlook Forum (NACOF) which was held on the 4th of September 2024.
• The NACOF provides the national seasonal rainfall outlook, which is downscaled from the Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF) to capture the influence of the local climate drivers.
• This platform brings together national stakeholders to discuss the seasonal rainfall projection for the forthcoming rainy season and the sector-specific implications. Subsequent to this, the Meteorological Services Department will provide regular updates as the season progresses.
• The 2024/2025 rainfall season coincides with a weak La Niña phase. There are prospects of better rainfall for the country from the second sub-season until the end of the forecast period, which spans from November-March.
• The forecast for the 2024/2025 rainfall season is based on the accumulated rainfall for each sub-season, without taking into consideration its temporal distribution.