Parts of Rwanda are forecast to receive up to 350mm of rainfall in November, as the country braces for a wetter-than-usual month, according to Rwanda Meteorology Agency.
The forecast puts expected rainfall across the country at between 85 and 350mm, compared with the usual November range of 76 to 278mm.
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The first 20 days of the month are expected to be wetter than usual, while rainfall in the third dekad is forecast to return to normal levels.
However, the expected increase will not be the same everywhere. Eastern Province, the City of Kigali and most parts of Southern Province are likely to receive rainfall only slightly above their usual November averages.
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Some parts of Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke and Karongi districts are expected to receive the heaviest rainfall, ranging between 250 and 350mm. The same amount is forecast in some parts of Rusizi and Nyaruguru districts.
Other areas, including Musanze District and some parts of Gakenke, Burera, Huye, Nyaruguru, Gisagara, Muhanga, Nyanza, Ruhango and Rulindo districts, are expected to receive between 185 and 250mm.
Rainfall ranging between 135 and 185mm is forecast in some parts of Northern and Southern provinces, the City of Kigali, Nyagatare, Bugesera and Gatsibo districts.
The remaining parts of the country are expected to receive between 85 and 135mm.
Temperatures and winds
Despite the increased rainfall, daytime temperatures are expected to remain relatively warm in some areas, reaching 30°C, while other parts of the country will experience cooler conditions.
The highest daytime temperatures, ranging between 28°C and 30°C, are expected in Bugesera, some parts of the City of Kigali and other districts in Eastern Province, including Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Rwamagana and Ngoma.
Meanwhile, some parts of Musanze and Nyabihu districts are expected to record lower daytime temperatures of between 20°C and 22°C.
At night and in the early morning, temperatures could drop to between 10°C and 12°C in some parts of Nyabihu, Musanze, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe and Rusizi districts.
In contrast, some parts of the City of Kigali and Eastern Province districts, including Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Kirehe, Rwamagana and Bugesera, are expected to experience warmer nights, with temperatures ranging between 17°C and 19°C.
Wind speeds are also expected to range between four and 12 metres per second across the country, with some areas likely to experience stronger winds.
Some parts of Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngororero, Kamonyi, Bugesera, Kirehe, Ngoma, Muhanga, Nyamagabe and Ruhango districts are forecast to experience the strongest winds, reaching between eight and 12 metres per second.
Meteo Rwanda advised the public to follow guidance from the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management and other relevant authorities to minimise possible damage from strong winds and increased rainfall.