THE RAINS that fell in some parts of the country early this week are likely to continue until tomorrow and resume on Sunday when sporadic thundershowers will be expected across the country. NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER
Meteorological Services Department head of public weather services, Tich Zinyemba, said the rainfall on Monday and Tuesday was generally light.
“Light thundershowers occurred across the country on 15 October 2013, but falls were generally light,” he said.
“At the same time, very hot conditions prevailed over Zimbabwe and to that extent, some of the temperatures during the day reached as high as 40oc in Binga on October 15, Kariba (39) and Victoria Falls (38) on October 21.
“On Tuesday October 22, conditions remained hot and dry, but temperatures started falling in Masvingo, the Midlands, Matabeleland South and Manicaland as a band of disturbed weather moved into the country.
“As a consequence, some thunderstorms occurred. “As at 8am this (yesterday) morning, the following meteorological stations measured significant rainfall amounts: Gweru 44mm with hail, Mutare 32mm, Chisengu 23mm, Makoholi and Zaka 15mm, Masvingo and Buffalo Range 12mm, Chivhu 11mm, Zvishavane 10mm, Marondera and Wedza 9mm.”
Zinyemba said expectations were that by tomorrow, weather systems responsible for the current cloudy and rainy weather would have weakened considerably, paving the way for much warmer and less cloudy weather. He said this appeared temporary as another cloud band was forecast to cover Zimbabwe from Sunday onwards, leading to sporadic thundershowers across the country. Zinyemba said it was not the responsibility of the Meteorological Services Department to advise farmers on when to plant.
