By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Beitbridge – Light showers experienced in Beitbridge on Sunday evening have raised questions among farmers and communities eager for the onset of the rainy season. However, the Matabeleland South Meteorological Department has cautioned against interpreting the rains as an early start to the season.
In an interview with Ziyah News Network, Provincial Meteorological Officer, Rodgers Hugh Munyira, explained that such showers are typical transitional weather events and should not be mistaken for the official beginning of the rainy season.
“Those showers are always experienced either mid (10-20) September, mid (16) or end of October (26). Dates above are mere examples and not fixed. With climate change the mid September cold snap is now rare. These rains are indications of the change from the dry to the wet season. These rains, almost always, evening to overnight thunderstorms are caused by the northwesterly trough that converges with the southeasterly trades. They usually favour the southern district. They don’t indicate an early season, no!” Munyira said.
He further noted that while such storms can be significant, they should not be taken as a reliable signal for planting.
“These freak and usually destructive thunderstorms are not the start of the season. Yes, farmers must continue preparing for the start of the season when the conducive requirements are achieved. We don’t consider them a false start either because they may not meet the definition of the start of the season whether agricultural or meteorological,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the department forecasts a delayed onset of the main rains.
“The seasonal forecast predicts a slightly warmer than normal October-November period with erratic rains and long dry spells. Hence we may anticipate a rather late start of the season. From December to March we expect normal with a bias towards above normal rains. We expect the temperatures to return to normal by December,” Munyira said.
He also issued an advisory to farmers and communities to be cautious of the risks associated with these early storms.
“We are in a warm regime and most early rains are characterised by strong winds, violent storms with lightning and possible damaging hail. It is imperative that wheat farmers may face possible losses if such storms occur in their fields. However, a hazard risk message may be shared as I did above where we advise the communities to be wary of the impact of hydro meteorological hazards,” he warned.
The expected season indicates a probable late start to the season and farmers may be guided not to plant early before substantial falls and advisories from Agric extension.