Rwanda is expected to experience normal rainfall between September and December 2025, according to Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda). ALSO READ: Inside efforts to improve weather forecast accuracy Speaking on August 29 during the National Climate Outlook Forum held at the headquarters of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, Aimable Gahigi, the Director General of Meteo Rwanda, said the forecast is based on extensive analysis of atmospheric and oceanic conditions, which provided valuable information for planning and decision-making. He noted that the September-December season is one of the main rainy seasons in Rwanda, playing a critical role in the development of socio-economic sectors. ALSO READ: Meteo Rwanda forecasts less rainfall in late August According to the forecast, the key factors influencing rainfall during the upcoming season are the Sea Surface Temperatures, which are currently within the neutral phase in the equatorial Pacific and Indian Oceans, tending towards colder conditions towards the end of the season. Different districts are expected to receive varying amounts of rainfall. Rainfall ranging between 300-400mm is expected in Kirehe District, the eastern parts of Ngoma District, as well as most parts of southern Kayonza District. ALSO READ: Three killed, nine injured in overnight downpour Rainfall between 400-500mm is projected for Kigali City, Amayaga region, Bugesera, Rwamagana and Gatsibo Districts, southern parts of Nyagatare and Gicumbi Districts, northern parts of Kayonza District, and the remaining parts of Ngoma District. Rainfall between 500-600mm is expected in Rulindo District, Southern Province except the Amayaga region, and the western parts of Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts. It is also expected in the eastern parts of Karongi and Rutsiro Districts, southern parts of Burera District, Ngororero and Gakenke Districts except the northern parts, as well as in the western and southern (Bugarama plain) parts of Rusizi District and the remaining parts of Gicumbi and Nyagatare Districts. Rainfall between 600-700mm is expected in Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu and Nyamasheke Districts, northern parts of Gakenke and Ngororero Districts, the remaining areas of Burera and Rutsiro Districts, western parts of Karongi, Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts, as well as the eastern parts of Rusizi District. Onset of the September-December 2025 rainfall season Between September 8 and 15, rainfall is expected to start in the Western Province, covering Musanze, Burera, and Nyamagabe districts, western parts of Nyaruguru, Nyanza and Ruhango, most parts of Muhanga and Gakenke except the eastern areas, northern parts of Gicumbi and Rulindo, and the northern and western parts of Nyagatare District. Between September 15 and 22, rainfall will begin in Gatsibo and Huye districts, eastern parts of Muhanga and Gakenke, central parts of Nyaruguru, Nyanza and Ruhango, the remaining parts of Nyagatare, Gicumbi and Rulindo, as well as northern Kayonza and Kamonyi districts except their eastern parts. Between September 22 and 29, rainfall is expected in the City of Kigali, Bugesera, Gisagara, and Rwamagana Districts, eastern parts of Nyaruguru, Nyanza, Ruhango, and Kamonyi, central parts of Kayonza, and Ngoma District except its eastern areas. Between September 29 and October 6, rainfall is expected to begin in Kirehe District, the southern parts of Kayonza, and the eastern parts of Ngoma District. Cessation of the September-December 2025 rainfall season Between December 15 and 22, the end of the season is expected in the City of Kigali, Eastern Province, Northern Province, except the western parts of Musanze, Southern Province except Nyamagabe, as well as the western parts of Nyaruguru and eastern parts of Ngororero and Karongi Districts. Between December 22 and 29, the cessation is expected in Nyamagabe District, Western Province, except the eastern parts of Ngororero and Karongi, as well as the western parts of Musanze and Nyaruguru Districts. Meteo Rwanda, the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, advised public institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, the private sector, and the public to take note of the forecast and use it for informed planning and decision-making. The advisory highlighted possible risks, including strong winds, intense and frequent lightning strikes, especially at the beginning of the season, hailstorms, runoffs and erosion on steep slopes without control measures, floods along rivers, and intra-seasonal dry spells in drought-prone areas. Meteo Rwanda strongly recommends the use of the September-December 2025 seasonal forecast complemented with monthly, 10-day, 7-day, 5-day, and daily forecasts, as well as weather warnings, to support early action.
