Met Dept sees reduction in rainfall
By Florence Bupe
Thu 25 Nov. 2010, 04:00 CAT
THE Zambia Meteorological Department has projected a general reduction in rainfall activities in most parts of the country from today through to the weekend.
In an interview, ZMD chief meteorological officer Chizgange Ngwira explained that
the moist Congo winds that had been responsible for increased rains in most parts of the country, including Western, Lupaula and North Western provinces, were slowly shifting and would no longer be the main influence by the weekend.
Over the last few days, Western, North Western, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces have recorded significant incidences of rain, with cloudy conditions prevailing.
“From Thursday, we expect a general reduction in rainfall activities in most areas, and by weekend we expect even a further reduction. We will be able to determine the rainfall activity for the period after the weekend at a later stage,” said Ngwira.
And the government has indicated plans to establish marine meteorological services at Kafulafuta and Nansanga farm blocks under the 2011 budget allocation.
The government has also disclosed plans to launch and implement the Meteorology Policy.
Labels: CHIZGANGE NGWIRA, METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, RAINFALL
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ZMD urges sheltering of grain as Luapula records rains
By Florence Bupe
Tue 12 Oct. 2010, 14:20 CAT
THE Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) has warned grain traders to secure their produce as rains in some parts of the country have been recorded.
In an interview, ZMD chief meteorological officer Chizgange Ngwira disclosed that some parts of Luapula Province had recorded about two millimeters of rain in the last two days.
“Over the next few days, we expect the extreme parts of North Western and Luapula Provinces to experience thunderstorms and rain. We are concerned that produce that has not been secured may go to waste,” Ngwira said.
“It is important that grain is stored in storage sheds or covered with tarpaulins before an increase in rainfall.”
And Ngwira has said most parts of the country would continue experiencing high temperatures, but explained that the prevailing weather was within the normal range.
Temperatures have been recorded between 35 and 42 degrees Celsius.
Ngwira explained that the prevailing high temperatures were a result of low wind levels, which help cool the atmosphere by acting as a ‘fan’.
“In the recent past, we’ve hardly had any wind and this has resulted in the hot weather conditions we’re currently experiencing,” he said.
Ngwira further disclosed that the meteorological department had approached the owners of the electronic display board at Lusaka’s Addis Ababa roundabout that was reflecting wrong temperature readings for Lusaka.
He said the department had received concerns from members of the public over the temperatures that had sometimes been showing as high as 57 degrees Celsius.
“What happens is that around midday, the figures go up but that’s a misrepresentation. We have already approached the owners of the display and they have assured us that they’ll get in touch with the manufacturer,” said Ngwira.
Labels: CHIZGANGE NGWIRA, METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, RAINFALL, ZMD
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