Meteorology agency warns of dry spells in Eastern Province

Many parts of Eastern Province and a few parts of the Southern Province will experience minimal rains in November according to a new forecast by Rwanda Meteorology Agency. However, the forecast released on November 1, shows that improvement of rainfall is expected in parts of Southern Province which had initially experienced dry conditions in the last few months but South Eastern parts of the country will continue to experience low rainfall. During the month of November, the amount of rainfall ranging between 50 and 250 millimetres is expected across the country. The expected rainfall will be normal over many parts of Western, Northern and Southern Provinces, Meteo Rwanda said. The first 20 days of November are expected to record normal rainfall while reduced rainfall is expected during the last 10 days of the month across many parts of the country. Rainfall between 200 and 250 millimetres is expected over parts Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Northern parts of Rubavu, Nyabihu, Burera and Musanze Districts. Rainfall ranging between 150 and 200 mm is forecasted in the remaining parts of Western and Northern Provinces except southern parts of Rulindo and Gicumbi and it is also expected in parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts. The more millimeters decrease, the drier conditions occur. A reduced amount of rainfall ranging between 50 and 100 mm is expected in many parts of Bugesera, Kayonza and Kirehe Districts and a few parts of Kigali, Gatsibo and Amayaga region. The spatial distribution map shows that rainfall will decrease from West to East due to influence of local features such as forests, lakes and topography. Wind speed forecast Moderate to strong wind ranging between 4 metres per second and 10 metres per second is expected across the country. Many parts of the country are expected to experience a strong wind ranging between 6 and 8 m/s while very strong wind ranging between 8m/s and 10m/s is expected in local parts of Nyaruguru, Huye, Nyamagabe, Nyanza, Ruhango, Kamonyi and Bugesera Districts. The maximum temperature is expected to range between 20°C and 30oC. Parts of Kigali City, Amayaga region, Bugarama plain, Bugesera, Western parts of Ngoma and Rwamagana and some pockets of Kirehe District are expected to experience higher temperatures ranging between 28°C and 30°C. Parts of Ngororero, Rutsiro, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Musanze, Burera and Gicumbi Districts are expected to receive lower temperatures ranging between 20 and 22 degree Celsius. “Impacts associated with dry conditions are still prevalent in areas where below normal rainfall is expected while impacts of strong wind, thunderstorm and hailstorms are likely to occur in different parts of the country mostly during the first 20 days of November,” warns the forecast.

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Meteorology agency warns of dry spells in Eastern Province