MSD Weather Report, Forecast Valid Until Thursday

The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) last night issued a weather report and forecast that is valid until Thursday 18 March 2021.  MSD observed that from today, Wednesday until Thursday, lightning is still probable and it urged members of the public to take precautionary measures such as staying indoors. The forecast is as follows.

Fringes of a cloud system, currently over Botswana, yet affecting the south-western border areas of Zimbabwe, resulted in isolated thunderstorm in districts such as Bulllima, Mangwe, Tsholotsho, and Hwange. The Mashonaland Provinces, Harare Metropolitan and parts of Manicaland Province remained under influence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. with pockets of moisture resulting in brief cloudy periods and isolated showers. These showers. though generally light (below 10 mm), were coupled with thunder and lightning in places.

FORECAST WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH 2021:

Isolated light showers are expected over Matabeleland North. Matabeleland South, northern parts of Midlands, Harare Metropolitan. Manicaland and all Mashonaland Provinces. These may be coupled with lightning and thunder. It will be mild in the morning, becoming warns by afternoon with brief cloudy periods. Mostly sunny and warm conditions are expected in southern areas of Midlands, Bulawayo Metropolitan. and Masvingo Provinces, becoming mild towards evening.

• Thunder can still strike from a distant cloud. when skies above you are mostly blue and cloudless (This is commonly called a “bolt from the blue”).
• Hot daytime conditions may lead to dehydration
• Crops might show signs of moisture stress
• Remember when you are close enough to hear thunder less than 30 seconds after you see lightning then you are close enough to get struck. It is safer to seek shelter in a closed building when this occurs.
• Keep hydrated, drink adequate amounts of water daily.
• Poultry producers should note that broilers are sensitive to temperature variations and therefore need to be checked regularly and adjustment made.
• Farmers with crops that still need significant amounts of water should plan with irrigation in mind.

NB: Pfurnvudza plots are easy to irrigate even by hand.

FORECAST FOR THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021

Mostly sunny and mild at first over much of the country. However. from mid-morning brief cloudy periods and isolated afternoon thunder showers are expected in the northern parts of all three provinces of Matabeleland North, Midlands and Mashonaland West. The rest of the country (namely Matabeleland South, Bulawayo Metropolitan, southern areas of the Midlands, Masvingo, Manicaland, Harare Metropolitan, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East Provinces) should be most sunny and warm by afternoon.