Maravi

ZMD projects increase in rainfall countrywide

ZMD projects increase in rainfall countrywide
By Fridah Zinyama and Mutale Kapekele
Tue 26 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) has projected an increase in rainfall activities across the country.

According to a weather bulletin released yesterday, the increase in rainfall is as a result of the weakening of the high pressure over eastern South Africa which has been ridging into Zambia and reducing chances of rainfall in many places, especially over the southern half of the country.

And in Southern Province, the department stated that an active Congo air boundary penetrated into the province from January 16, enhancing widespread rainfall which was characterised by heavy to light rainfall.

“Significant rainfall intensity reductions coupled with less rain days were reported and severe in some parts of the province. Temperature profile did not change much and were warm to hot in the range 28 to 32º Celsius,” the department stated.

The department revealed that heavy and stormy rainfall was reported at Maamba - 90mm, Gwembe - 80mm and Kalomo - 79mm.

Others included Livingstone and Munyumbwe with 58mm and 56mm each. The majority of the stations received light to moderate rainfall (less than 49mm).

“The dekadal rainfall performance is below normal in most places except Livingstone, Kalomo, Maamba, and Gwembe. The rainfall performance from 1st December 2009 indicates that almost 50 per cent of the province had normal rainfall,” the department stated.

“These areas include Livingstone, Kalomo, Namwala, Itezhitezhi and parts of Namwala, Choma, Gwembe and Monze. The highest surplus was at Kalomo with 11 per cent. Siameja reported the lowest deficit with -43 per cent deficit. The previous season had over 90 per cent of the province under normal rainfall performance.”

The highest cumulative rainfall figures above 400mm were observed at Masasabi 496mm, Gwembe 481mm and Kalomo 480mm. Namwala FTC, Zambia Adventist University, Buleya Malima and Livingstone were in this category.

Labels: RAINFALL, ZMD

posted by MrK @ 5:32 PM