Hot conditions signify end of winter-Met

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has said the hot weather conditions that most parts of the country are currently experiencing are normal though Malawi is in winter season.

The department has said the conditions signify the gradual shift from winter, which the country started experiencing from May 1, to summer, which comes in after winter.

Speaking in a telephone interview yesterday, the department’s director Jolamu Nkhokwe said July is the peak of winter and as the country is going towards summer, the position of the sun is moving towards the equator, hence, the hot weather.

“In September, the sun will be over the equator and the rain bearing systems will be moving from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. By October, we expect to experience the rainy season but we are going to issue a statement on the rainfall forecast come September,” said Nkhokwe.

The winter season is characterised by cold weather conditions locally known as Chiperoni caused by the frequent eastward passage of huge high pressure areas into Malawi cool and moist south easterly winds consequently causing chilly weather accompanied by rain drizzle over highlands, fog, particularly in low lying areas, and strong mwera wind over Lake Malawi, according to the department.

Currently, the country is grappling with effects of the global El Nino weather which greatly reduced rainfall, caused drought conditions and affected crop production across the country.