WEATHER FORECAST: Cyclone Cheneso Drifting Further Away
The weather report and forecast issued by the Meteorological Services Department in conjunction with the Department of Civil Protection at 4 PM on Saturday 28 January 2023 valid until Monday 30 January 2023:
PREAMBLE
The drying effect of Cyclone CHENESO which was in the Mozambican channel resulted in dry conditions throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the cyclone is drifting to the South-East of the Indian Ocean and its effects over the country should be insignificant therefore more moisture and precipitation should be expected across much of the country.
FORECAST FOR TOMORROW, SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2023
With the going of Cyclone Cheneso, moisture from the North should start drifting into the country, and hence all Mashonaland provinces, Harare Metropolitan, Northern parts of Manicaland and Matabeleland North provinces should expect isolated thundershowers, while the southern areas that is; Southern parts of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South Bulawayo Metropolitan and southern parts of Matabeleland North should be mostly sunny with slight chances of isolated thunderstorms in some areas.
IMPACTS
- Lightning is a major threat during this part of the year, being inherent in thunderstorms.
- Flooded rivers remain a potential hazard; even if it has not rained heavily in the area, heavy rains may have occurred upstream.
- Scattered thunderstorms may induce localized flash flooding in areas with poor drainage or along rivers.
- Sunshine increases the rate of evaporation and dehydration.
ACTIONS TO TAKE
- Take enough fluids to compensate for water loss through dehydration with medical doctors’ advice and irrigate where necessary.
- Fix rooftops and make sure roofing sheets are well secure during these sunny days.
- Where possible, install lightning conductors on buildings, schools, and homesteads.
- Avoid crossing rivers or streams of unknown depth; even if it has not rained heavily in the area, it might have done so upstream. 30cm depth of fast-flowing water can sweep away large vehicles.
- When thunder roars, go indoors. Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the thunderstorms have ended. These are precautionary measures to reduce the chances of being struck by lightning.
- Do not ride in the back of an open vehicle or ox-drawn cart during a thunderstorm.
WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2023
Northern areas of the country which include, all Mashonaland provinces, Harare Metropolitan, Northern parts of Manicaland and Matabeleland North provinces should continue to expect scattered thunderstorms while southern areas which are; Southern parts of Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South Bulawayo Metropolitan and southern parts of Matabeleland North should expect cloudy and windy conditions with cool to mild temperatures and chances of light drizzle over the extreme southern areas of the country as cool moist air is being pushed into the country from the South-West Indian ocean
