Rains expected

re-emerged in the tropical Pacific.
La Niña events are generally associated with increased rainfall and floods in southern African countries during summer, as well as some parts of West Africa.
Senior Meteorological officer Mr Jonathan Chifuna yesterday said: “There should be an increase in rainfall activity between December 12 to 18. Heavier falls exceeding 50mm in 24 hours are expected in some places.
“There should be a decline in rainfall activity over Masvingo, Matabeleland South and South of Manicaland as from Saturday this week,” he said.
Mr Chifuna said warm temperatures were expected across the country and advised members of the public that some of the storms will be accompanied by high winds, thunderstorms and hailstorms.
Mr Chifuna urged farmers to liase with their agricultural authorities.
Commenting on last week’s weather Mr Chifuna said the widespread rains received in some places was as a result of a cloud band that was moving into the country from the west.
He said the falls were light and on Thursday Victoria Falls recorded 24mm, Kariba 30mm on Friday and on Sunday Kezi 42mm and Masvingo 37mm.
In a press release, the World Meteorological Organisation said the latest outputs from forecast models suggest that peak intensity of this La Niña will be reached in late 2011 or early 2012.
This La Niña, the WMO said, is expected to persist through the end of this year and into early 2012, possibly becoming moderate in intensity.
“However, it is likely to be considerably weaker than the recent episode that was linked to flooding and drought in different parts of the world,” said the WMO.
La Niña is characterised by unusually cool ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. It is the opposite of El Niño.
El Niño is marked by unusually warm ocean surface temperatures.
The two are strongly coupled to the atmospheric circulation in the tropics and are said to be a major determinant of the seasonal and year-to-year fluctuations of our climate.