08 Oct 2020

Department of Meteorological Services says during the rainfall season there will be times when the country will experience intermittent dry spells even though the scattered showers of rain over the country appear continuous.

The department on September 2, 2020 issued its 2020/2021 rainfall and temperature outlook indicating that a relatively wet season was expected countrywide.  

However the south-western parts (i.e.Kgalagadi District) was to experience moderately dry conditions during October to December 2020 but becoming wetter during January to March 2021.

The Department of Meteorological Services Principal Meteorologist Mr Charles Molongwane explained that last season the nation experienced a neutral El Niño Southern Oscillation (neither dry nor wet conditions), while for the 2020/2021 season sixty percent (60%) La Niña (wetter than normal) conditions are expected.

This, therefore means that the current season is expected to be wetter than the last one (2019/2020), he said

Asked whether the current rains came at the right time, he said one might concur because if Batswana can remember what happened last year during the same period, it was very dry over the country with little to no rain.

“The rains only came towards the end of November 2019. Climatologically, the onset of rains over the Botswana is mid-November, “ he said.

Explaining factors that could have brought delays that exacerbated some areas in the country to experience dry months, Mr Longwane said several factors among them El Niño (drier than normal conditions) resulted in reduction of moisture content of winds that brings rainfall over Southern Africa region (Botswana included). He said this ultimately leads to drought over much of Southern Africa, saying that it must be noted that El Niño is the opposite of La Niña.  

He said the other factor is persistant of a high pressure cell  over the country resulting in relatively drier and hot weather conditions during the first period of the rainfall season (i.e. October, November and December).

Also he cited the delayed southward movement of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) from the Equator.

The ITCZ is a permanent low-pressure feature where surface trade winds, laden with heat and moisture, converge to form a zone of increased convection, cloudiness, and precipitation rank among the factors that attributed to the delay of rain over Botswana this year.

Mr Mologwane said the Department issues five (5) days weather forecasts that are updated daily and the weather updates complements the season forecast (six months).

This means that on a weekly basis, one would know which arrears over the country are likely to receive rainfall, including its intensity and whether the rains are likely to lead to any hazardous conditions such as hail storms, flooding and damaging strong winds, he said.

He said in addition that the Department has about 17 offices around the country, and it edges the general public, especially farmers to utilise such facilities to get detailed information on weather and climate.

“The Department would from time to time issue warning and advisories, through press releases, of any expected severe weather events (flooding, heat waves etc.) two (2) to three (3) days in advance.

These warning and advisories will include messages or guidance on what Batswana should do to protect themselves and their properties,” he said. ENDS