Met predicts 2017/2018 normal rainfall season

Malawi will experience normal rainfall in the 2017/2018 rainfall season, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has predicted.

Disseminating the 2017/2018 rainfall seasonal forecast to the Media in Blantyre, the department’s director Jolamu Nkhokwe highlighted that in the season, Malawi will not experience either El Nino or La Nina conditions.

However, Nkhokwe urged Malawians to keep monitoring weather updates as there might be episodes of extreme weather events such as prolonged dry spells and floods in some areas associated with neutral El Nino Southern Oscillation.

“It should be noted that this forecast is relevant for relatively large areas and seasonal time scales and therefore may not fully account for all factors that influence localized climate variability,” he cautioned.

In her remarks, Met head of public weather Elina Kululanga Said the seasonal forecast is to be used as a planning tool and propel users to take necessary action.

She hailed the media for working with the department saying it is critical in making sure that information generated by the department is passed on to the public.

“This seasonal forecast has undergone rigorous process to make sure that it is worth to guide the nation,” she said.

Last year, Malawi was affected by La Nina conditions and experienced normal to above normal rainfall patterns.