Subsaharan Africa Weather Analysis 2002

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Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis -
Subsaharan Africa 2002

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 2002 - Unfavorably dry weather covered central and northern Mozambique, southern Malawi, northern and eastern Zimbabwe, and eastern Botswana, while excessive wetness extended from western Kenya through Tanzania into northern Mozambique. Cyclone Delfina made landfall in northern Mozambique. Heavy rains hit northern Madagascar. In central Africa, rainfall was much lighter this period and below normal, benefiting areas such as Gabon, Congo, and DRC that saw heavy rains earlier in December. Temperatures were near normal.
December 11-20 2002 - Widespread showers further eased dryness across southern Africa, but more rain is needed in many areas. Drier weather returned to Kenya, but heavy rains fell over western Tanzania. Rainfall amounts diminished in the lower Congo Basin but remained high. In central Africa, rainfall amounts diminished from the very heavy amounts recorded in the previous period, but estimated totals exceeded 200 mm locally in western and northeastern DRC and southern Congo.
December 1-10 2002 - Abundant showers eased dryness in South Africa, but rainfall remained below normal from Zambia to Mozambique. Heavy showers fell over eastern Kenya and southern Somalia, but dryness persisted in northwest Kenya, northeast Uganda, and central Tanzania. Heavy showers drenched the lower Congo River basin in central Africa. In central Africa, very heavy rains (200-400 mm, 200-600% of normal) struck western DRC, southern Congo, and southeastern Gabon.
November 21-30 2002 - Rainfall eased over southwestern Kenya, but moderate rains persisted over parts of eastern Uganda. Below normal rainfall persisted over most of southern Africa. Moderate to heavy rains fell over parts of Gabon and CAR, while heavy rains soaked most of Congo and DRC. Dry weather conditions prevailed across most of West Africa. In central Africa, locally moderate to heavy rains (28-86 mm; 87-394% of normal) fell over parts of northern and western Gabon, and over southern CAR. Dry conditions prevailed over most of Cameroon and northern CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 50-200 mm over Congo and DRC.
November 11-20 2002 - Rainfall eased over southern Somalia, but continued to be abundant over southwestern Kenya and central Uganda. Light or no rain covered most of southern Africa. Moderate to heavy rains fell over parts of Gabon and CAR, while dry weather condition prevailed across most of West Africa. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (14-151 mm; 84-250% of normal) fell over northern and southwestern Gabon, and southern CAR. Lighter rains (10-24 mm; 52-57% of normal) fell over western Cameroon, while dry conditions prevailed in the north. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below normal over CAR and Cameroon. They were 1 to 2 degrees C above average over Gabon.
November 1-10 2002 - Favorable rains soaked southern Somalia, eastern and southern Kenya, and the Lake Victoria Basin. Abundant rains also fell over southern Mozambique, Zambia, and portions of Madagascar, while light to moderate rains fell over the Maize Triangle of South Africa. Heavy showers pounded Gabon, parts of southern Cameroon, and much of DRC and Congo. Light rains fell along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea region, while seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel. In central Africa, moderate rains (20-148 mm; 80-136 % of normal) fell over pockets of northern Gabon, southern CAR, and coastal Cameroon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 75-200 mm over portions of northern and southern DRC as well as over central Congo, and southern Cameroon. Dry conditions prevailed over northern Cameroon. Temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C above average over Gabon. They were 2 to 3 degrees C below average over CAR and parts of Cameroon.
October 21-31 2002 - Heavy rains resulted in flooding across portions of coastal Kenya. Heavy rains fell across central and southern Mozambique, with beneficial rains across Zimbabwe, Botswana and eastern South Africa. Spotty showers offered little relief for dryness across southwestern Côte D’Ivoire while more substantial rains offered some relief across southeastern Côte D’Ivoire. Conditions remained dry across the Afar region of Ethiopia. In central Africa, heavy seasonal rains (100- 250 mm) soaked southern Cameroon, northern Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, while 50- 100 mm of rain fell across southern Gabon, Congo and DRC. Temperatures across southern CAR averaged 2 to 5 degrees Celsius below normal. Across northern Cameroon, temperatures averaged 1 to 4 degrees Celsius below normal.
October 11-20 2002 - Moderate rains continued to fall over portions of the Sahel, while below normal rainfall persisted over Côte d'Ivoire. Dry weather also prevailed over the eastern half of Ethiopia and over northern Kenya. Heavy rains once again pounded southern CAR and northern DRC, while seasonable dryness prevailed across southern Africa. In central Africa, heavy rains (100-250 mm) pounded southern CAR, northern DRC, northern Gabon, and central Cameroon. The rest of the region remained normally wet. Temperatures were generally 2 to 4 degrees C above average over northern CAR and Gabon. They were 2 to 3 degrees C below average over southeastern CAR, and eastern DRC.
October 1-10 2002 - Unseasonably heavy showers fell across the Sahel region, but dry weather covered Eritrea and central and northern Ethiopia, aggravating problems caused by a shortened growing season. Abundant showers fell over southern Ethiopia and central Somalia. Widespread showers spread into southern Africa, with amounts well above normal in Zimbabwe, South Africa and central Mozambique. In central Africa, rainfall totals were generally near normal, with satellite estimates indicating locally excessive amounts in CAR and northeastern DRC of 100 to 150 mm.
September 21-30 2002 - Light rains or dry conditions prevailed across the Sahel, except parts of the central Sahel, where moderate rains fell. Locally moderate to heavy rains also fell over parts of East Africa. Seasonable dryness prevailed across southern Africa, although some light rains fell over parts of South Africa and Zimbabwe. In central Africa, dry conditions prevailed over western Gabon and southern Congo, while light to moderate rains (6-64 mm; 5-107% of normal) fell over western Cameroon, much of CAR, and northern Gabon. Locally heavy rains (102 mm ; 140% of normal) soaked a portion of CAR. METEOSAT also revealed a southward extension of the rains in the DRC, where rainfall estimates (75-200 mm were locally heavy, particularly along a northeast-southwest line. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over Gabon and western Cameroon. They averaged 2 to 4 degrees C below normal over CAR.
September 11-20 2002 - Above normal rains fell over parts of Burkina Faso and Niger. However, rainfall deficits in the groundnut basin of Senegal, southern Mauritania, and western Mali will compromise crop production in these areas even further. Rainfall deficits also continued to prevail across much of Sudan and Ethiopia. Moderate but unseasonable rains fell along coastal Mozambique and Madagascar. In central Africa, unseasonable moderate rains (25-83 mm; 158-850% of normal) fell along the coast of Gabon. Moderate to heavy rains (62-169 mm; 88-142% of normal) also fell locally over southern CAR, northern Gabon, and western Cameroon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-100 mm) over central and northern DRC and Congo, while dry conditions prevailed over southeastern DRC and along coastal Congo. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over Gabon and western Cameroon. They were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal over much of CAR.
September 1-10 2002 - Beneficial rains continued to fall over the ground nut basin of Senegal, while below normal rainfall prevailed across many areas of the Sahel. Below normal rainfall also continued to prevail over Sudan and Ethiopia, while unseasonable moderate but sometimes excessive rains fell over South Africa, parts of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Madagascar. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (55-244 mm; 116-455% of normal) soaked portions of coastal and northern Cameroon, and northern Gabon. Lighter rains (15-70 mm; 20-76% of normal) fell over CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) over the northern half of DRC and northern Congo. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average across the region.
August 21-31 2002 - Beneficial rains fell across drought-affected areas of Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania, while rainfall amounts were below normal in several other parts of the Sahel. Rainfall diminished in Sudan and Ethiopia. Heavy rains hit central Nigeria. Unseasonably heavy rains continued in South Africa, but amounts were not excessive. In central Africa, heavy rains of 150 mm or more deluged central and western Cameroon, and totals reached 150 mm locally in CAR.
August 11-20 2002 - Over the Sahel, short term dryness continued over most of Senegal and southern Mauritania, while beneficial rains fell over western Mali. In the Gulf of Guinea region, central Benin and northwestern Nigeria received sizable rainfall amounts. In East Africa, pockets of northern Ethiopia and Sudan received beneficial rains, while in southern Africa, moderate but unseasonable rains fell across most of South Africa, where flash flooding events occurred in the eastern part of the Western Cape Province. In central Africa, seasonable dryness prevailed over most Gabon and Congo, except pockets of northern and southern Gabon, which received moderate but unseasonable rains (8-35 mm; 294-308% of normal). Locally moderate to heavy rains (78-229 mm; 67-194 % of normal) also fell over western Cameroon, western and southern CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy downpours (100-20 mm) over northern DRC, while lighter rains and seasonable dryness were estimated for the southwestern and southeastern part of the country, respectively. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over Gabon. They were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal across CAR.
August 1-10 2002 - Over the Sahel, short term dryness eased over the ground nut basin of Senegal and western Mali as these areas received increased rains to boost needed moisture for crops. However, rainfall deficits persisted across the rest of Senegal, southern Mauritania, and central Mali. In the Gulf of Guinea region, moderate to heavy rains doused much of the region, while in East Africa, below normal rainfall persisted over Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. In southern Africa, small amounts of rain fell over the winter crop areas of South Africa. In central Africa, locally heavy rains (102-265 mm; 110-230% of normal) fell over western Cameroon, and over western and southern CAR. Lighter rains (9-50 mm; 39-64% of normal fell over central and northern Cameroon, and over central CAR. Seasonable dryness prevailed over Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and southern Congo. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated seasonable dryness over southern DRC, and moderate to heavy rains (50-200 mm) in the north. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average across the region.
July 21-31 2002 - Rainfall deficits persisted across western Sahel. The areas most severely affected are Senegal, central Mali, and southern Mauritania. However, beneficial rains boosted moisture for the crop areas of Burkina Faso, Niger, and western Chad. Rainfall was also below normal across the Gulf of Guinea region, even though heavy rains soaked southeastern Nigeria. In East Africa, below normal rains persisted across Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, while in southern Africa, the winter crop areas continued to benefit from abundant rains. In central Africa, locally moderate to heavy rains (16-271 mm; 92-298% of normal) were observed over northern and coastal Cameroon, and over southern CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonable dryness over Gabon, southern Congo and southern DRC. Temperatures were near average over CAR, and 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over Gabon and southern Congo.
July 11-20 2002 - Seasonal showers spread across most of the Sahel crop zone, although rainfall totals tended to be unseasonably light in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania. Heavy rains drenched Nigeria and coastal Cameroon. Rainfall amounts remained below normal from Eritrea into central Ethiopia. Heavy rains and mountain snows struck southern South Africa. In central Africa, locally heavy showers struck western and coastal Cameroon, as satellite estimates climbed as high as 250 mm. Rainfall was seasonable elsewhere in central Africa.
July 1-10 2002 - The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) was south of its normal position during the first 10-day period of July. This resulted in drier than normal conditions across parts of the Sahel, including southern Senegal. Showers eased dryness along the immediate Kenya and southern Somalia coasts. Heavy rains fell across coastal Côte d’Ivoire, portions of coastal Ghana and much of Nigeria. Temperatures were warmer than normal across most of West and East Africa, especially in southern Mauritania, central Mali and central Sudan, where the position of the ITCZ resulted in much above normal temperatures. In central Africa, seasonal showers and thunderstorms (25-95 mm) prevailed across Cameroon, northern Congo, eastern CAR and northern DRC. Lighter showers (10-25 mm) were observed across southwestern CAR. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across Gabon, southern Congo and southern DRC. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across Gabon, CAR and Cameroon.
June 21-30 2002 - Sparse rains along the Kenya and southern Somalia coast increased moisture deficits. Lighter than normal rains raised concerns over short-term dryness across southwestern portions of Burkina Faso. Seasonal showers prevailed across the highlands of Ethiopia, southern Sudan, much of central Africa and southern portions of the Sahel. Locally heavy rains pelted portions of southwestern Mali. Unseasonably cool conditions prevailed across much of southeastern Africa. Seasonal rains (15-86 mm; 14-234% of normal) fell across Cameroon, CAR and northern DRC. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across much of Gabon, southern Congo and southern DRC. Temperatures averaged within 2 degrees C of normal across central Africa.
June 11-20 2002 - Heavy showers hit the Gulf of Guinea coast, while the seasonal rains advanced northward in the western Sahel but retreated in the east. Moderate to heavy rains fell in western Ethiopia, with moderate rains over western Kenya, but the remaining parts of East Africa continued dry. The dry season began over the southern parts of Central Africa. Seasonal dryness persisted over southern Africa except for unseasonably heavy rains over South Africa and parts of coastal Mozambique. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (2-69 mm) fell across most of the region. An exception included coastal Cameroon, with seasonably heavy rains (108 mm; 84% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonal dryness in the southern half of DRC and southwestern Congo, while moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) stretched across central and northern DRC, CAR and northern Congo. Temperatures generally ranged from 1 to 2 degrees C above average in Gabon, Congo, CAR and southern Cameroon. They registered 1 to 2 degrees below average in DRC and northern Cameroon.
June 1-10 2002 - Widespread rains finally advanced northward across the Sahel countries, indicating the start of the rainy season. Seasonal dryness returned to South Africa following the earlier heavy rains. Little or no rain fell across Somalia, Kenya, and southeast Ethiopia, but heavy rains blanketed western Ethiopia. Abundant rains fell over the Gulf of Guinea coastal area. Central Africa experienced diminishing rains, confirming the start of the dry season over the southern parts of the region. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated a pocket of heavy rains (100-300 mm) over eastern Nigeria. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (2-66 mm) fell across the region. An exception included far northern Cameroon, with heavy rains (133 mm; 398% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonal dryness in the southern half of DRC and southwestern Congo, while moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) fell across central and northern DRC, central and northern Congo and Gabon. Temperatures generally ranged from 1 to 3 degrees C above average in Gabon, Cameroon and Congo. They were 1 to 4 degrees below average in DRC and CAR.
May 21-31 2002 - Little or no rain fell across the Greater Horn of Africa, confirming an early start to the dry season for parts of the region. Heavy rains diminished over southern Nigeria and coastal Cameroon. Hot, dry weather covered the Sahel, as the (ITCZ) continued to be slow in its advance northward, while southern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region recorded sizable rainfall amounts. Abnormally heavy rains swept across South Africa and Lesotho. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (7-63 mm; 11-412% of normal) fell across the region. An exception included portions of coastal Gabon, with moderate to heavy rains (65-109 mm; 127-156% of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonal dryness in the southern half of DRC and southwestern Congo, while moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) fell across central and northern DRC and central and northern Congo. Temperatures generally ranged from 1 to 4 degrees C above average in Gabon, CAR and Congo.
May 11-20 2002 - Light rains fell across the Greater Horn of Africa, sustaining the long-term dryness in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Moderate to heavy rains fell across most of central Africa, although seasonable dryness prevailed in southern DRC and southern Congo. Seasonable dryness prevailed in the Sahel, while southern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region received sizable rainfall amounts. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (4-73 mm; 1-56% of normal) fell across the region. The exceptions were portions of southern CAR, northern Gabon, and coastal Cameroon, where moderate to heavy rains (52-101 mm; 95-161% of normal) were observed. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated dryness in the southern half of DRX, southern Congo, and southern Gabon, while moderate to heavy rains (10-150 mm) were estimated over the northern half of DRC, and central and northern Congo. Temperature departures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average in Gabon and Congo. They were 4 to 5 degrees below average over northern and central Cameroon.
May 1-10 2002 - Moderate to heavy rains soaked central and western Kenya, Uganda, and northwestern Tanzania, while lighter rains fell over Ethiopia and Somalia. Heavy rains were observed southern Congo and western Gabon. Moderate but unseasonable rains fell over southern Mali and northern Burkina Faso. Seasonable dryness prevailed across southern Africa. However, the east coast of Madagascar received torrential rains. In central Africa, rainfall was quite variable. The heaviest amounts (60-293 mm; 127-225% of normal) were observed over southern Congo, western Gabon, and pockets of western Cameroon and western CAR. Moderate rains (22-72 mm; 83-118% of normal) fell over northern Cameroon, while light rains (1-7 mm; 3-21 % of normal) were observed across most of CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains across the northern half of DRC, except the northeast where the estimates ranged between 75 and 150 mm. Dry weather prevailed to the south. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average across the region.
April 21-30 2002 - Very heavy rains struck southwestern Somalia and eastern Kenya, while moderate to heavy rains covered western and central Kenya. Unusually dry weather prevailed across central, western and northern Ethiopia. Heavy rains hit southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, but the seasonal rains retreated southward from the Sahel countries. Seasonal dryness extended across southern Africa, although light to moderate rains fell over southern South Africa, southern Namibia and the eastern coast of Mozambique. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains in western DRC and northern and coastal Angola. In central Africa, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, pockets of southern CAR and western Cameroon received moderate to heavy rain (34-222 mm; 108-460%). Satellite estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-250 mm) over much of DRC except for the south, which was seasonably dry. Locally torrential rains of up to 300 mm inundated southern Congo and western DRC, according to satellite estimates. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above average over the region.
April 11-20 2002 - Rainfall deficits persisted over parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), in particular over southeastern Kenya, central Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Unseasonably heavy rains soaked parts of Zimbabwe and northeastern South Africa. Dryness prevailed across the Sahel. However, wetness persisted over southern Burkina Faso. In central Africa, light rains (1-24 mm; 3-71% of normal) fell across the region. The exceptions were northern Gabon, and pockets of northern CAR and northern Cameroon, that were soaked with moderate to heavy rains (52-117 mm; 103-139 % of normal). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-250 mm) across DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average over Gabon and southern Congo. They were 1 to 3 degrees C below average across CAR.
April 1-10 2002 - Abnormally dry conditions persisted in Southern Africa, except over northern Mozambique and the eastern coast of Madagascar, where moderate to heavy rains fell. Rainfall deficits persisted over parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), in particular over western Kenya, southern and western Tanzania, Uganda, eastern Ethiopia, and central Somalia. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (40-106 mm; 74-144% of normal) fell in southern and central Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, western Cameroon and southern CAR. However, light rains (1-17 mm; 4-52% of normal) fell over western CAR and northern Cameroon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (75-150 mm) across DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average over Gabon, eastern CAR, and pockets of Cameroon. They were 1 to 3 degrees C below average over the rest of the region.
March 21-31 2002 - Generally, southern Africa experienced rainfall deficits, except northern Mozambique, and northern and east coasts of Madagascar, where moderate to heavy rains fell. Abnormally dry weather continued to affect Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern, and western Mozambique, much of Namibia, southern and western Zambia as well as much of South Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains in northern and coastal Angola. Rainfall deficits were observed over parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), in particular over western Kenya, southern and western Tanzania, southern Uganda, central Ethiopia and southern Sudan. Rainfall deficits were also registered over parts of central Africa, including northern Congo and the southern half of Gabon. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (36-187 mm; 83-230% of normal) fell in southern Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, western Cameroon and southern CAR. Satellite estimates indicated dry conditions over northern Cameroon and western CAR, while light to moderate rains (10 to 75 mm) were estimated over southern Cameroon, and southern CAR. Heavy rains (75-150 mm) were estimated across DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above average over the region.
March 11-20 2002 - Welcomed rains brought limited relief to drought areas in extreme northeastern and central areas of Zimbabwe and southern Zambia, but abnormally dry weather continued in the drought areas of Botswana and southern Mozambique. Rainfall was generally below normal elsewhere in southern Africa, except in Namibia, northern Mozambique and Madagascar. Abundant rains fell over parts of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), in particular over Kenya and southern Uganda. Ample rains also extended across northern Congo and eastern and western CAR. Moderate to heavy rains covered the coastal Gulf of Guinea region. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (31-181 mm; 87-283% of normal) fell across northern and central Congo, northern Gabon and southeastern and northwestern CAR. Satellite estimates indicated unseasonably heavy rains (75-150 mm) over southeastern Cameroon, while rainfall deficits (25-96 mm; 58-72% of normal) were observed over western and southern Gabon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (50-200 mm) across much of DRC. Temperatures were generally near average over the region.
March 1-10 2002 - Despite spotty showers over Zimbabwe, much of southern Africa continued experiencing below normal rainfall, allowing dryness to persist in much of Zimbabwe, southern and western Mozambique, eastern Botswana, pockets of southern Zambia, and the northern part of South Africa. Tropical Cyclone Hary grazed the northeast coast of Madagascar, bringing heavy rains and high winds. Normal to heavy rains fell in northern and eastern Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated normal to above normal rains over northern Mozambique, Angola, eastern Namibia, pockets of South Africa, southern Nigeria, southern Cameroon and much of Uganda. Also, normal to above normal rains fell locally in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Near normal to above normal rains fell in Tanzania, Kenya, and central Ethiopia. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed over much of West Africa, northern parts of central Africa, Sudan, Somalia, eastern and western Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea. Generally, there was a slight northward shift of the rainfall belt (ITCZ). In central Africa, normal to above normal rains (24-174 mm, 53-146% of normal) fell in Congo, Gabon, southern CAR, and Equatorial Guinea. Satellite-estimated normal to above normal rains covered much of DRC and southern Cameroon. Dry weather conditions prevailed over northern parts of Cameroon and CAR. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C below average over western DRC, northern Cameroon and western Gabon, while readings were 1 to 3 degrees C above average over CAR, southern and eastern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, southern Gabon and Congo.
February 21-28 2002 - Despite spotty showers, much of southern Africa continued to experience below normal rainfall, allowing dryness to persist in Zimbabwe, southern Malawi, central and southern Mozambique, much of Botswana, eastern part of Namibia, south east Angola, southern Zambia, and northern part of south Africa. The heaviest rains fell in pockets of Madagascar and northern Mozambique. Satellite rainfall estimates also indicated moderate to heavy rains over northern Mozambique, northern part of Zambia, southern Tanzania, northeastern and southwestern Angola, northwestern Namibia, DRC, Gabon, southern Congo, southern CAR, western Kenya, and southern Uganda. Abundant rains also fell locally along the Guinea coast, while, seasonably dryness prevailed across the Sahel. In central Africa, Abundant rains (58-157 mm, 91-225% of normal) fell in southern Congo and along the border with DRC, and over much of Gabon. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across much of Cameroon and CAR, except for pockets of light to moderate rains (2-37 mm; over southern CAR, and southwestern Cameroon. Satellite rainfall estimates were in the range between 25 and 150 mm over much of DRC. However, spotty areas of light rains were observed over the northern parts and in the area near the border with Lake Tanganyika. Temperatures were generally 1 to 5 degrees C below average across the region.
February 11-20 2002 - Despite spotty showers, much of southern Africa experienced below normal rainfall, allowing dryness to persist in central and southern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique and southern Zambia. The heaviest rains fell in northern Madagascar, northeastern Mozambique, eastern Angola, eastern Botswana and southern DRC. Normal to below normal rains fell over Tanzania and western Kenya. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across West Africa and the northern parts of central Africa. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (5-91 mm; 12-96% of normal) fell over Gabon and much of Congo. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed over Cameroon and CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm) over DRC, except the extreme northern part, where the estimated rains were light (1-10 mm). Temperature readings averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above average over Gabon, DRC and Congo, while readings were 1 to 3 degrees C below average over CAR.
February 1-10 2002 - Rainfall was below normal across southern Africa, except in the north, where abundant rains fell. Despite some spotty showers, dryness generally persisted or worsened in central and southern Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique. The heaviest rainfall hit pockets of western Madagascar, northern Mozambique, extreme northern Zimbabwe, southern and western Zambia and eastern Angola. Moderate rains fell in the southern area of central Africa, while seasonably dry conditions prevailed across much of West Africa and the northern part of central Africa. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (4-64 mm; 9-83% of normal) fell over western Gabon and central Congo. Isolated moderate to heavy rains (49-145 mm; 136-206 % of normal) fell over extreme western Congo and over north-central Congo. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed over Cameroon, CAR, and northern Gabon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm) over DRC, except the extreme northeastern part, where the estimated rains were light (1-10 mm). Temperature readings averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above average across the region.
January 21-31 2002 - Normal to above-normal rainfall covered the northern parts of southern Africa, but below-normal totals persisted over parts of southern Mozambique, Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana, and parts of northern South Africa. Below-normal rains also expanded into southern Zambia. The heaviest rains fell over northern Zambia, southern Tanzania, northern Mozambique, northwestern Madagascar, and southeastern Angola. Below-normal rainfall prevailed in northwest Angola and north-central Namibia as well as large portions of Madagascar. Rainfall improved in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and southern Mozambique, but amounts generally remained below normal from eastern Botswana into Mozambique. Tropical Cyclone Dina brought high winds and torrential rains to Reunion and Mauritius early in the period. In central Africa, light and below-normal rains (0-10 mm) fell in northern Congo and northeastern Gabon. Satellite estimates indicated the dryness extended eastward across northern DRC. Moderate to heavy rains (11-198 mm, 53-272% of normal) fell over the remainder of Gabon, southern Congo and central and southern DRC. Temperatures were generally near average to 3 degrees C below average across the region.
January 11-20 2002 - Normal to above-normal rainfall covered northern portions of southern Africa but below-normal totals prevailed from central Zimbabwe southward through South Africa and southern Mozambique. Heaviest rains extended from Angola eastward through Zambia, Malawi, and northern Mozambique. Dryness increased in southern parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, as well as portions of Botswana and South Africa. Rainfall improved in northeastern Tanzania. Cyclone Dina approached the Mascarene Islands at the end of the period. In central Africa, light and below-normal rains (0-10 mm) fell from northern Gabon eastward into northern DRC, while moderate rains (10-100 mm, 52-373% of normal) fell over southern Gabon, southern Congo and central and southern DRC. Temperatures were generally near average to 5 degrees C below average in CAR, DRC, and Congo and Cameroon, except 1 to 2 degrees C above average in Gabon and southern Congo.
January 1-10 2002 - Tropical Cyclone Cyprien contributed heavy to very heavy rains to Madagascar and moderate to heavy rains to northern Mozambique at the beginning of the period (1st to 4th), but drier weather prevailed across most of southern Africa. Plentiful rains continued to ease dryness in Tanzania. Abnormally dry conditions developed over Namibia and southwestern Angola. Unseasonable rains fell in Senegal, Mauritania, and Ethiopia. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (10-130 mm, 59-308% of normal) fell in DRC, Congo, and Gabon, with pockets of moderate to heavy rains in DRC. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated seasonably dry conditions over CAR and Cameroon. Temperatures were generally near average to 2 degrees C above normal over the region.