The Sunday News
Limpret Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) says it is expecting a marked improvement in the rainfall distribution in the country during the second half of the season compared to the first.
In a statement, MSD said seasonal forecasts showed that the country should expect a marked improvement in the rainfall distribution for the entire country.
“For the second half of the season covering January to March 2018, according to the seasonal forecast, we expect a marked improvement in the rainfall distribution, indicating a bias towards normal not just for the northern provinces but for the entire country,” said MSD.
MSD said this is what their seasonal forecast had indicated, a bias towards normal for the northern parts of the country for the period between October and December 2017.
MSD said nearly all parts of the country received totals of more than 150mm of rainfall from 1 October to 27 December 2017.
“Most parts of the country have received accumulated precipitation totals of more than 150mm from 1 October to 27 December 2017; though a few pockets, covering areas in and around Zvimba District in Mashonaland West Province into Mazowe and Bindura districts in Mashonaland Central Province, have so far received below the 150mm,” MSD said.
MSD said higher amounts, of more than 200mm of rainfall was recorded along and to the north of the main watershed namely much of Matabeleland North, Bulawayo Metropolitan, north of the Midlands, Mashonaland East, Harare Metropolitan and Manicaland.
“More rainfall was received in parts of Mashonaland provinces and Manicaland last season compared to this season.
“Areas mostly in the southern parts of the country (parts of Matabeleland, Midlands and Masvingo) had received more rains by 27 December 2017 compared to the last season 2016/2017,” said MSD.
The Met Department also revealed that there was better rainfall in the extreme northern parts of the country this season compared to the last season.
“The rainfall distribution particularly in December last season (2016) seems to have been better compared to this season.
“For December 2016, there were effective rains received on 11 to 31 December 2016, while in the current season effective rains were received on 21 to 31 December 2017 in most parts of the country,” MSD said.
