Meteorological experts meet to issue seasonal weather forecast this week

GOVERNMENT has started equipping the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) with state-of-the-art equipment such as automatic weather stations and weather radars in line with the “Early Warning for All” initiative.

The move will enable the specialised department to monitor the weather and climate, as well as to deliver reliable weather and climate forecasts.

In her keynote address at the ongoing Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (Sarcof 29) in Harare on Monday, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, urged fellow SADC member states to ensure that all national meteorological and hydrological services were well-resourced to deliver well-informed weather forecasts and help governments to properly plan and prepare for natural disasters.

“We are gathered to share the rainfall seasonal forecast for the period 2024/2025 and come up with its implications for different sectors. I have been briefed that our weather and climate experts from all the SADC member states arrived here in Harare on August 18th and have been working tirelessly over the past week to come up with a consensus seasonal rainfall forecast,” said Dr Nyoni.

She said Sarcof and the Climate Experts Meeting (CEM) represent pivotal moments for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among member states in the region and the platforms allow for countries to collectively learn from each other, come up with weather and climate projections, share best practices and present these to the different sectors.

Dr Nyoni said effects of climate variability and change remain a major concern for SADC member states, which have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of the extreme weather events, erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts that threaten ecosystems, food security and socio-economic stability.

“It’s incumbent upon us to enhance our capacity in terms of coming up with more accurate and finer forecasts. These should include more parameters such as start of season, end of season and expected cumulative dry days or dry spells, as we call them in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Nyoni.

“Our countries will be able to respond with determination and foresight using the scientific information provided by our National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.”

She said the Regional Seasonal Rainfall forecast is a document that is used to inform member states to make informed decisions which cut across almost all economic sectors.

During the recent 44th SADC Summit, said Dr Nyoni, the Heads of State and Government emphasised the role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.

This year’s forum is running under the theme: “At the frontline of climate action towards improved climate services in the SADC region”.

Dr Nyoni hoped the forum discussions would bring tangible actions that inform decisions in the weather and climate-sensitive sectors of the economy.

“Youths, women and children are key pillars of our communities and their involvement in weather and climate issues is crucial. I urge member states to involve them more,” said Dr Nyoni.

Speaking at the same occasion, Director-Infrastructure in the SADC Secretariat, Ms Mapolao Mokoena, said in response to the drought situation in the 2023/2024 period, the SADC Summit in May this year launched a regional appeal to facilitate a coordinated response to the various disaster affecting the region of at least US$5,5 billion to support over 61 million people affected by the El Niño induced drought and floods.

She said the Regional Humanitarian Appeal was developed with support and collaboration of SADC’s cooperating partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), World Food Programme (WFP) and other regional and international humanitarian agencies.

“Thus, SARCOF holds immense importance as we prepare to navigate the upcoming rainfall season, which will span from October 2024 to March 2025.

“This period historically brings both opportunities and climate risk to the SADC region,” said Ms Mokoena.