quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Brace for cold, wet winter: Met Office

Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWEANS should brace for a very cold and wet winter, as the rains that pounded most parts of the country yesterday are set to continue, the Meteorological Services Department has said.hey
In an interview yesterday, Met Department director Dr Amos Makarau said their forecast pointed to an unusual winter with rains expected to last throughout the cold season.

Dr Makarau said the rains would be an advantage to winter wheat farmers but would damage the maize, cotton, sugar bean and soyabean crop still in the fields if it is not harvested urgently.

"We are forecasting a very cold and wet winter this season; it is very unusual given the current weather patterns that have been prevailing in the last couple of years.

"If we are to check past records, however, they show that Zimbabwe used to have rains during winter," he said.

He said yesterday’s rains marked the beginning of a long, wet winter.

Dr Makarau said his department would continue to conduct forecasts to update the nation as the winter season progressed.

"We are advising farmers who still have crops in the fields to harvest them as a matter of urgency. Those who have already harvested should take advantage of the rains to carry out winter ploughing," he said.

By yesterday morning, Kadoma had received 45mm while other notable rainfall totals were recorded in Bulawayo, Harare, Victoria Falls and Zvishavane.

Dr Makarau said his department was still receiving rainfall figures from other parts of the country.

The severe cold front is also expected due to the heavy rains that the country received last season.

Last year, Zimbabwe experienced a longer than usual winter which extended into September.

Usually the winter season ends in the last week of August.