Subsaharan Africa Weather Analysis 2001

Current season | Back to historical analysis page

Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis -
Subsaharan Africa 2001

From the African Desk, Climate Prediction Center, NOAA
Note: This information should be used with caution.
Weather data are based on preliminary reports.

December 21-31 2001 - Wet conditions remained across eastern portions of southern Africa, extending from northern Zambia to central and southern Mozambique. Rainfall continued to offer relief from dryness in southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique, while a tropical disturbance in the Mozambique Channel brought heavy rains to the coast of central and southern Mozambique and torrential rains to parts of Madagascar. Abnormally dry weather covered Namibia and southern Angola. In central Africa, Gabon, Congo and DRC recorded moderate amounts of precipitation. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (5-97 mm; 60-200% of normal) fell in DRC, Congo and Gabon, although heavier rains (100-150 mm) covered large areas of northeastern and southeastern DRC. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonably dry conditions over CAR and Cameroon. Temperatures were generally near average except up to 3 degrees C above normal over CAR and DRC.
December 11-20 2001 - Wet conditions remained across much of southern Africa, with heavy rains extending from central DRC and northern Angola to central and southern Mozambique. Rains spelled some relief from dryness in eastern Tanzania, northern Mozambique, Malawi, eastern Kenya and southern Somalia, but more rain is needed. Moderate to heavy rains fell in pockets of Kenya, Ethiopia and Madagascar. In central Africa, Gabon, Congo and DRC recorded the heaviest amounts of precipitation. In central Africa, Congo and central parts of Gabon observed moderate to heavy rain (50-160 mm; 63-184% of normal). Moderate to heavy rains (50-250 mm; 93-205% of normal) also fell in central parts of DRC. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dry conditions over CAR and much of Cameroon and light rains in northern DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average in CAR and near average to 4 degrees C below average elsewhere.
December 1-10 2001 - Wet conditions remained across much of southern Africa, with the heaviest rains located in Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, southeastern Zambia, eastern Angola and central Madagascar. Rains spelled some relief for eastern Tanzania, northern Malawi and northeastern Zambia, but more rain is needed in northern Mozambique, eastern Tanzania, and parts of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Moderate to heavy rains fell in pockets of Ghana and southern Côte d’Ivoire. In central Africa, Congo and central parts of Gabon observed moderate to heavy rain (50-160 mm; 63-184% of normal). Moderate to heavy rains (50-250 mm; 93-205% of normal) also fell in central parts of DRC. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dry conditions over CAR and much of Cameroon and light rains in northern DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average in CAR and near average to 4 degrees C below average elsewhere.
November 21-30 2001 - Moderate to heavy rains continued in pockets of eastern Kenya and southern Somalia, while dryness persisted over much of Tanzania. Wet conditions remained across most of southern Africa, with the heaviest rains located in Angola, Botswana, and southern Mozambique. In contrast, dryness continued over northern Mozambique. In central Africa, Gabon, Congo, and DRC recorded the heaviest amounts of precipitation. In central Africa, dry conditions prevailed across northern CAR, while light to moderate rains (1-25 mm; 2-100% of normal) fell over southern CAR and southern Cameroon. Much of Gabon reported moderate to heavy rain (45-129 mm; 63-206% of normal). Moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm; 93-135% of normal) covered southern and central parts of Congo and large parts of DRC. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonably dry conditions over northern and central Cameroon. Temperature readings were near average across the region except the CAR, where temperatures averaged 2 degrees C above average.
November 11-20 2001 - Abundant rains continued to soak parts of southern Kenya, northern Uganda, and southern Somalia, while dryness continued to prevail over the eastern half of Tanzania. Wet conditions prevailed across much of southern Africa, with the heaviest rains located in southern Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique. However, dryness continued over northern Mozambique. In central Africa, dry conditions prevailed across northern CAR, while light to moderate rains (1-95mm; 2-76% of normal) were observed to the south of CAR, southern Cameroon, and much of Gabon. However, moderate to heavy rains (31-113 mm; 93-135% of normal) doused southern and northern Congo. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dry conditions over northern and central Cameroon. Moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) were observed across much of DRC. Temperature readings were near average across the region.
November 1-10 2001 - Generous rains spelled some additional relief for eastern and coastal areas of Kenya and southern Somalia. Rainfall intensified over central and northern DRC. Wet conditions persisted over Lesotho and the southeastern coast of South Africa. The rainfall situation improved over Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia compared to the last ten days. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (32-217mm; 129-293% of normal) were recorded over southern CAR, most of DRC and Congo except the coast, Gabon, Togo, and southern Cameroon. Temperatures averaged near normal across the sub-region except over western DRC where they averaged 2 to 3 degrees C below normal.
October 21-31 2001 - Showers began to ease dry conditions over Kenya, but amounts remained below normal from Kenya to Tanzania and southern Somalia. Rainfall intensified over eastern Uganda and western Kenya while rains continued easing drought over southern and southeastern Ethiopia. Abnormally wet conditions persisted from southern Botswana into South Africa. Spotty precipitation amounts along the coasts of most of the Gulf of Guinea countries affirmed the start of the dry season over the Sahel as a consequence of the southward movement of the ITCZ. In central Africa, there was a significant decrease in rainfall over Cameroon and CAR compared to the previous 10 days; however, moderate rains (11-141 mm; 27-119% of normal) fell in southern areas. Moderate to heavy rains (70-150 mm) pelted Equatorial Guinea, northern Gabon, and pockets of Congo and western DRC. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal over CAR and 1 to 3 degrees C below normal over most of the remaining areas.
October 11-20 2001 - Light rains prevailed across much of the Greater Horn of Africa, signaling a slow start of the short rainy season. The exception was central and western Ethiopia, where favorable rains were observed. Consistent with the southward retreat of the ITCZ, heavy downpours soaked central and southeastern Nigeria. In Central Africa, light to moderate rains (5-51 mm; 8-66% of normal) fell across much of the region, except parts of southern and western Cameroon, northern and western Gabon, northern Congo, and portions of CAR, where rainfall continued to be abundant (89-138 mm; 105-142% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy downpours (50-100 mm) over northeastern DRC and lighter rains (10-50 mm) in the remaining parts of the country. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above average across much of CAR, Congo, and Gabon. They were about 2 degrees Celsius below average across Cameroon.
October 1-10 2001 - Heavy rains pelted extreme southern Sudan and northern Uganda, but dry weather covered much of the African Horn. The The minor season rains have been slow to start from Ethiopia southward to Tanzania. In central Africa, satellite estimates and surface reports indicated a significant increase in rainfall (50-169% of normal) over southern Cameroon, CAR, northern Congo, Equatorial Guinea, northern Gabon and northern and eastern DRC. Coastal areas of Gabon and southern Congo continued to be abnormally dry, as 4-week rainfall amounts have totaled less than 25% of normal. Temperatures averaged near normal save for western DRC, where they averaged 2 to 3 degrees C below normal.
September 21-30 2001 - Rains decreased seasonally in the Sahel as the ITCZ retreated southward. Heavy rainfall continued pounding northwestern and southeastern Nigeria. Light to moderate rains fell in central and northern Somalia, likely signaling the start of the minor rainy season. Favorably dry conditions covered South Africa. In central Africa, significant rains (100-250 mm, according to satellite precipitation estimates) fell over western Cameroon. Moderate showers dampened western CAR and northern Congo. Light to locally moderate rainfall amounts extended to Equatorial Guinea, northern and eastern DRC.
September 11-20 2001 - Rainfall remained favorable across the Sahel countries. The western branch of the ITCZ lingered north of the 18th parallel over Mauritania and Mali, favoring the westward movement of thunderstorm complexes across the western Sahel. The remaining dry areas of the Gulf of Guinea countries measured generally moderate rains. Locally heavy showers hit southern Nigeria and many parts of central Africa. Unseasonably heavy rains again hit South Africa. In central Africa, significant rains (100-250 mm, according to satellite precipitation estimates) fell over southern and western Cameroon, eastern CAR, northern Congo and northern and central DRC. Moderate showers dampened Equatorial Guinea and northern Gabon. Light to locally moderate rainfall amounts extended to southern DRC and parts of northern and central Angola.
September 1-10 2001 - Generally favorable rainfall activity remained across the Sahel countries and extended to those areas of central and northern parts of Senegal that had been slightly dry. The western branch of the ITCZ remained quite far north (around 20 degrees north) over Mauritania and Mali, favoring the westward movement of thunderstorm complexes across the western Sahel countries, where generally moderate rains fell. Showers dampened some of the dry areas along the Gulf of Guinea coast. In central Africa, most of the region reported below-normal rainfall, with normal amounts in parts of Cameroon, CAR, northern Congo and northern and central DRC. Light and seasonable rains extended to Equatorial Guinea, northern and central Gabon, central Congo and south-central DRC.
August 21-31 2001 - The generally favorable growing season continued across the Sahel region, although excessive rains struck a few countries. With the ITCZ starting to retreat southward, Guinea, Sierra Leone, western Burkina, southern Chad, northern Nigeria and CAR recorded locally more than 100 mm. Northern and central parts of the Gulf of Guinea countries measured important rainfall, foreshadowing the imminent end to the mid-season dry period. Mainly light rains fell north of the 15th parallel, extending as far north as the 20th parallel over Mauritania and Mali. In central Africa, northern Cameroon, parts of CAR, northern Congo and northwestern DRC recorded seasonably heavy precipitation. The area of heavy rains (up to 200 mm) persisted around Mount Cameroon in western Cameroon. Southern Cameroon, Gabon, central Congo and central DRC recorded light and below-normal rains.
August 11-20 2001 - Rainfall remained favorable in the central and eastern Sahel from Mali to Chad. Locally heavy showers hit Burkina Faso as well as southeastern Chad and the border area between Nigeria and Niger. The trend of below normal rainfall persisted over northern and central Senegal, Gambia and Guinea, and hot, dry weather covered most of Mauritania's crop areas. The dry mid-season over the Gulf of Guinea countries continued except over Togo and Benin, where locally moderate rains fell inland. In central Africa, locally heavy rains fell as usual around Mount Cameroon (western Cameroon), while mainly light to moderate rains (2-58 mm; 14-118% of normal) covered northern Cameroon, most of CAR, and northern and central DRC. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated the expansion of the seasonable dryness into western DRC, central Cameroon and most of Congo.
August 1-10 2001 - Rainfall has increased generally over much of the Sahel countries compared to the last 10 days period. Pockets of short-term dryness over Burkina Faso and central Senegal received moderate showers during the last days of this period. A quick look of the general circulation pattern revealed a trough over Morocco that momentarily pulled the western branch of the ITCZ northward to about 23 degrees north. This extended precipitation to northern Mauritania and northern Mali. Mid-season dryness continued over much of the Gulf of Guinea region. In central Africa, although heavy rains (109 - 191 mm; 185 - 284% of normal) were observed locally over northern Congo and western Cameroon, light to moderate rains (3 - 47 mm; 27 - 81% of normal) were observed over much of the region. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed over much of Gabon and the southern half of Congo. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonable dryness over the southern half of DRC and moderate to heavy rains (25 - 100 mm) in the northern. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below average.
July 21-31 2001 - The ITCZ remained quasi-stationary, advancing northward by just 0.3 degree of latitude on average. It moved north of the long-term mean over eastern Mauritania and western Mali but remained south of the mean from eastern Niger to western Sudan. As a result, rains generally tracked northward into the northern Sahel. Northern Mauritania, northern Mali and northern Niger recorded light to moderate rains while amounts in the central Sahel ranged from moderate to heavy. Relatively dry areas in West Africa include Senegal, Gambia, western Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and northeastern Mali. In central Africa, heavier rains fell in Cameroon, CAR and DRC. In Eastern Africa, showers dampened coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya as well as western Kenya, but little rain fell over drought-stricken northern Kenya. In southern Africa, seasonably dry conditions continued, although showers fell in the Comoros Islands and the east coasts of Mozambique and Madagascar. Southwestern DRC and the coastal areas of Gabon remained dry in central Africa, while parts of southern Congo reported light rains (1-10 mm, 48-106% of normal). Moderate to heavy rains (10-100 mm, 42-270% of normal) affected central and northern Cameroon, northern Congo and northern DRC. Satellite-estimated rainfall totaled 50 to 200 mm over the northern third of DRC (former Zaire). Temperatures averaged 3 degrees C below normal in inland areas of southwestern Cameroon but 2 degrees C above normal over the coastal areas of southwestern Cameroon, central Gabon and west-central DRC.
July 11-20 2001 - A northward shift of the ITCZ brought important rainfall to northern Senegal, central Mali, central Niger, central Chad, central Sudan and northern Ethiopia. The mid-season dry period remained entrenched over Liberia, southern and central Côte d'Ivoire and southern Ghana, while slight rains persisted over southern Togo, Benin and southwestern Nigeria. Unseasonably heavy rain fell over Uganda and surrounding regions and also over the southwestern coast of South Africa. In central Africa, near normal rains (10-100 mm; 90-120% of normal) fell over most of Cameroon, CAR, northeastern Congo and northern and central DRC.
July 1-10 2001 - The seasonal rains continued to be generally favorable across most of the Sahel, although rainfall amounts were below normal in parts of Senegal, Gambia, Mali, and Niger. The ITCZ remained south of normal from Chad to Sudan, resulting in below-normal rainfall over the northern crop areas in both countries. Amounts tapered off significantly over the Gulf of Guinea countries, as the mid-season dry period appeared to take hold. Unusually heavy rains struck southwestern South Africa. In central Africa, moderate showers (10-75 mm) fell over CAR, most of Cameroon, northern DRC and northern Congo. Beneficially lighter rains fell over the southwestern parts of Cameroon that had recorded excessive totals in late June.
June 21-30 2001 - The seasonal rains continued to advance northward on schedule over most of the Sahel, although rains remained slow to move into central Senegal. Generally, the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea countries recorded moderate showers, while light to moderate rain fell over central and eastern Africa. Unseasonable rains fell in South Africa. In central Africa, light to moderate showers (1-50 mm) fell over the region, except in western Cameroon, where moderate to heavy rain (75-277 mm; 117-274% of normal) struck.
June 11-20 2001 - The seasonal rains continued to advance northward on schedule over most of the Sahel, although rains have been somewhat slow to move into central Senegal. Moderate showers fell over the southern Sahel, while locally heavy rains hit the Gulf of Guinea Coast. Amounts were generally below normal in the interior of the Gulf countries. Western Ethiopia, southern Sudan and northern and eastern Uganda recorded moderate to heavy showers. In central Africa, moderate to heavy showers (50-150 mm) fell over Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, western CAR and northern Congo.
June 1-10 2001 - Moderate rain eased dryness over Senegal and southern Chad. Niger and parts of Burkina Faso were abnormally dry. Heavy showers fell over Nigeria and Liberia but rainfall amounts were generally below normal over the Gulf of Guinea coast. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rain (75-200 mm; 143-310% of normal) fell over eastern CAR, western Cameroon and locally over northern DRC and northern Congo. The remainder of the sub-region recorded 25-75 mm. Drier conditions, with less than 25 mm of rain, prevailed over most of Gabon and southern Congo and southern DRC. Temperatures averaged 2 to 5 degrees C below normal over CAR, central Congo and western DRC.
May 21-31 2001 - Dry conditions persisted over eastern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, central Tanzania and much of Somalia. Southern Chad, northern Nigeria, and southern Niger were unseasonably dry. Locally moderate to heavy showers fell over the Gulf of Guinea Coast, but rains were slow to advance northward into southern Senegal. Most of southern African was seasonably dry. In central Africa, rain was generally below to near normal. Locally moderate to heavy rain (75-150 mm) fell over central DRC, eastern CAR, south-central Congo and southern Cameroon. The remainder of the sub-region recorded 25-50 mm, or less than 60% of normal. Temperatures averaged near normal, except 2 to 3 degrees C below normal over southern DRC, central Congo, southeastern Gabon, and most of CAR.
May 11-20 2001 - Dry weather continued over extreme eastern and southern Ethiopia and extended into Somalia and Kenya. Normal to above-normal rains fell over the east coasts of Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar. Moderate to heavy showers fell over central Ethiopia, southern and eastern Sudan, southern Chad, most of central Africa and parts of West Africa. In central Africa, reports indicated near to above-normal rainfall (54-150 mm; 106-243% of normal) over most of Congo, northwestern Gabon and western, central, and northern Cameroon. Meanwhile satellite estimates indicated more than 100 mm over eastern, central and northern DRC and eastern CAR. Moderate rains (10-75 mm) improved dry conditions over northern CAR. Rainfall also increased over western CAR. Central and southern Gabon recorded less than 50% of normal rainfall. Temperatures averaged within 1 degree C of normal except 2 to 4 degrees C below normal over southern DRC and western Cameroon and 2 to 5 degrees C above normal over most of CAR.
May 1-10 2001 - Increased rainfall eased dryness in western Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, although conditions remained drier than normal. Drier weather spread across southern Ethiopia and much of Kenya. Unseasonable rains continued in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, although the rains were not as widespread. The slow-starting monsoonal rain gave rise to short-term dryness in southern Chad, northern CAR and south-central Sudan. Moderate showers fell over most of central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea coast. In central Africa, moderate rains (10-100 mm) fell over most of the central Africa region. Locally heavy rains (100-250 mm) struck central Congo, central, eastern, and northern DRC, eastern CAR, central and southern Cameroon, southern and northern Gabon and most of Equatorial Guinea. Rainfall was light in northern and western CAR. The rainy season has been unusually slow to start in northern CAR. Temperatures averaged about 2 to 4 degrees C below normal in southern CAR, southeast Cameroon, northern Gabon and southern and southwestern DRC; and 2 degrees C above normal in southeastern and northeastern Gabon, northern Cameroon and northeast DRC.
April 21-30 2001 - Increased rainfall eased dryness in northwestern and eastern Ethiopia as well as northern Somalia, although conditions remained drier than normal. Dryness increased in northern and central Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, as below-normal rains persisted. Unseasonably heavy rains covered much of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Locally wet conditions prevailed in the Gulf of Guinea coast. In central Africa, satellite estimates indicated locally heavy rain (75-150 mm) in southern Congo; western, eastern and northern DRC; southern Gabon; western CAR and western Cameroon. Temperatures averaged about 2 degrees C above normal in western DRC and most of Gabon and 3 to 4 degrees C below normal in western Cameroon.
April 11-20 2001 - Additional heavy showers hit northwestern Angola and central South Africa as amounts tapered off in central and southern Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Moderate to heavy rains fell in much of East Africa and extended to central Africa and parts of the Gulf of Guinea, but rainfall remained below normal in northern and eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia. In central Africa, additional moderate to heavy showers (13-139 mm; 90-320% of normal) continued to hit Gabon, Congo and Cameroon. Satellite estimates indicated that northern and southwestern DRC, northwestern Congo, northern Gabon and northwestern Cameroon saw rainfall totals in excess of 125 mm, while light rains fell elsewhere. Temperatures were generally near normal over the region, except 1 to 3 degrees C below normal in DRC and Cameroon.
April 1-10 2001 - Heavy showers pounded Angola, central South Africa and eastern Namibia, as rainfall continued to diminish in the flood-affected areas of southeastern Africa, including Malawi, northern and eastern Zambia and northern Zimbabwe. Moderate to heavy rains fell in East Africa, much of central Africa and southern parts of the Gulf of Guinea, but Somalia and northern and eastern Ethiopia were drier than normal. In central Africa, additional heavy showers (72-195 mm; 102-460% of normal) struck Gabon, Congo, southern CAR and southern Cameroon. Heavier rains exceeding 125 mm fell in central and southern Congo. Satellite estimates indicated that southwestern Cameroon picked up over 150 mm, while DRC (former Zaire) recorded 50 to 150 mm. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C below normal over much of the region, except near normal over Gabon and Congo.
March 21-31 2001 - Drier weather benefited flooded areas of central Mozambique and southern Malawi, while abundant showers persisted in northern and eastern Zambia, northern Zimbabwe and northern Mozambique. Heavy rains fell over central South Africa and parts of Madagascar. In East Africa, a marked increase in rainfall helped to ease short-term and long-term dryness in Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and northern, central and southern Kenya. Central Africa recorded additional heavy rains while below-normal rains persisted over a large part of the Gulf of Guinea region. In central Africa, additional heavy showers (90-158 mm; 97-294% of normal) hit Gabon and southern Congo and advanced northward to cover northern Congo. Satellite estimates indicated that DRC, southern CAR and Cameroon received rainfall amounts in the range of 50 to 125 mm, while southwestern Cameroon received totals in excess of 200 mm. Temperatures were generally 1 to 5 degrees C below normal over much of the region, except near normal over Gabon and Congo.
March 11-20 2001 - Additional heavy rains fell in central Zambia, northern and eastern Zimbabwe, north-central and southeastern Mozambique and southern Malawi, but amounts tapered off along the western coast of Madagascar. Rainfall was above normal in southern Botswana, eastern Namibia, and southern South Africa. Moderate to heavy rains fell in central Africa and parts of the Gulf of Guinea, but unseasonably dry weather covered much of Kenya and Tanzania. The minor season rains increased in Ethiopia. In central Africa, additional heavy showers (84-164 mm; 99-235% of normal) continued to hit Gabon and southern Congo. Light showers also fell in CAR and southern Cameroon. Satellite estimates indicated that northeastern and southwestern DRC received rainfall totals in excess of 150 mm. Temperatures were generally near normal over the region, except 1 to 3 degrees C below normal in DRC and Cameroon.
March 1-10 2001 - Tropical cyclone Dera in the Mozambique Channel brought very heavy rains and flooding in northern Mozambique and the west coast of Madagascar. Heavy rains persisted over central Zambia and Zimbabwe. Dry weather continued to prevail over southwestern Namibia and southwestern South Africa. Rainfall over East Africa was moderate to heavy over northwestern Tanzania, Uganda, and southwestern Kenya. Central Africa and parts of the Gulf of Guinea region also received sizable rainfall amounts.
February 21-28 2001 - Abundant showers persisted in Zimbabwe, southern Malawi, and southern Zambia, but tapered off in flood-affected areas of Mozambique. Heavy showers struck Botswana and parts of Madagascar. Long-term drought continued in northern Kenya and adjacent parts of Ethiopia and Uganda as dry weather prevailed. Hot, dry weather covered interior portions of the Gulf of Guinea countries. In central Africa, heavy showers (over 100 mm) fell in southern CAR, central Congo, southern Cameron and northern Gabon. Temperatures were generally near normal over the region, except 1 to 2 degrees C below normal in DRC.
February 11-20 2001 - Additional heavy rains fell in Mozambique, southern Malawi and scattered locations in central and western Zambia and northern Zimbabwe. The added moisture continued the flood threat over the central provinces of Mozambique but brought dryness relief to extreme southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe. Increased rainfall also benefited dry areas across Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. In central Africa, heavy showers (over 100 mm) hit central Congo and moderate to heavy rains (75-219 mm) fell in Gabon. Temperatures were generally near normal over the region, except 1 to 3 degrees C below normal in DRC.
February 1-10 2001 - Very heavy rains and flooding continued over central Mozambique, with rains also affecting some previously-dry areas in the south. Abnormally dry conditions persisted over much of Namibia, extreme southern Mozambique, the summer crop areas of South Africa and much of Botswana. Excessive rains also struck Zimbabwe, southern Zambia and southern Malawi. Elsewhere, heavy rains diminished slightly across Tanzania, Kenya and Madagascar. Over the central African region, wet conditions persisted in southern Congo and southern Gabon as isolated heavy rains (74-134 mm) fell. Temperatures were generally near normal.
January 21-31 2001 - Very heavy rains struck central Mozambique and continued over Madagascar. Severe dryness persisted across southern Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe while light to moderate rains benefited central and northern Namibia. Showers brought only minor relief to Botswana and South Africa. Wet conditions extended southwestward from southwestern Kenya across Tanzania, Malawi, northern Zambia and into Angola. Over the central Africa region, unseasonably moderate to heavy rains (10-94 mm) fell in western DRC, southern Congo and southern Gabon. Temperatures were generally near average across the region.
January 11-20 2001 - Showers brought scattered relief to dryness for northern and central Namibia as well as southern Angola, but more rain was needed to eradicate accumulated deficits. Dryness persisted across much of southern Namibia, southern Botswana and central South Africa. Heavy rains inundated Madagascar and extended into northern Mozambique, Malawi, much of Zambia and southern DRC. South Africa recorded abundant rains along the southern coast. Moderate to heavy rains fell in Tanzania, southwestern Kenya and the Lake Victoria basin. In central Africa, unseasonably heavy rains (30-80 mm) fell in western DRC and southern Congo. Temperatures generally averaged 1 to 2 degrees C below normal across the region except in Gabon, where they were 1 to 3 degrees C above average.
January 1-10 2001 - Dryness intensified in Namibia and southern Angola, while heavy rains stretched from Zambia to southern Tanzania and northern parts of Malawi and Mozambique. Rainfall was generally below normal elsewhere in southern Africa. Moderate rains returned to southern Kenya and the Lake Victoria basin.