Subsaharan Africa Weather Analysis 2003

Current season | Back to historical analysis page

Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis -
Subsaharan Africa 2003

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 2003 - Beneficial rains brought some dryness relief to southeastern Africa, while dryness increased across interior Tanzania. Heavy rains drenched much of northern Madagascar while the dry season continued to set in across much of the Greater Horn. In central Africa, seasonal rains fell across southern Gabon, southern Congo and much of DRC (25-75 mm). Heavier rains fell across southwestern Congo (75-150 mm). Showers were light (1-30 mm) across extreme northern DRC, northern Gabon and northern Congo. Conditions were seasonably dry across Cameroon and CAR.
December 11-20 2003 - Tropical Cyclone Cela drenched the west coast of Madagascar, while drought concerns increased across much of southeastern Africa. Seasonal rains were off to a good, albeit late start across interior central and southern Tanzania while seasonal dryness prevailed across much of the Greater Horn and the Sahel. In central Africa, seasonal rains occurred across most of DRC (50-100+ mm). Lighter amounts of rain (10-50 mm) were observed across Gabon and Congo. Rainfall was light across southern Cameroon and extreme southern CAR (<25 mm), while the dry season continued across northern Cameroon and the majority of CAR.
December 1-10 2003 - Heavy rains eased dry conditions in Somalia, Kenya, and southern Ethiopia, while below-normal rains allowed drought to persist across much of Tanzania. Cyclone Cela brought heavy rains to northern Madagascar, but unfavorably dry weather stretched across southern Africa. In central Africa, heavy rains exceeding 100 mm hit coastal Gabon and Congo, as well as central DRC.
November 21-30 2003 - Dry conditions once again prevailed over northern and eastern Kenya and over the eastern half of Tanzania, while seasonable rains continued over southern Ethiopia. Rains increased in eastern South Africa, but parts of the Maize Triangle received little rains. Beneficial rains fell over portions of Zimbabwe. In Central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (56-216 mm; 96-138% of normal) persisted over northern Gabon. Spotty showers (9-49 mm; 97-455% of normal) fell over southern CAR, while dryness prevailed over northern and central areas of CAR and Cameroon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (10-150 mm) across DRC and Congo.
November 11-20 2003 - Tropical Cyclone 02A developed over the Arabian Sea off the Somali coast and indirectly resulted in scattered showers across Somalia and parts of eastern Ethiopia. The storm, however, remained offshore. As a result, the rainfall was light and had little impact on the dryness affecting the area. Dry conditions across much of northern Tanzania, southeastern and northwestern Kenya raised concerns over drought. Unseasonably heavy rains and some severe weather occurred across the western Maize Triangle in South Africa while the wet season was a bit slow to get going across the eastern portions. In Central Africa, heavy seasonal rains (50-150+ mm) fell across southern Cameroon, Gabon, Congo and northern DRC. Showers were spotty across northern Cameroon and CAR. Across southern DRC, wet season rains continued (25-75 mm).
November 1-10 2003 - Beneficial rains continued over parts of Kenya and Uganda. Showers continued over the Ethiopian highlands. Southern Somalia received scattered light to moderate rains, while the rainy season is off the a late start across most of Tanzania. Less beneficial rains for crop prevailed across most of southern Africa. Seasonable dryness prevailed over the Sahel, while light to moderate rains fell over the southern areas of the Gulf of Guinea region. In central Africa, rainfall continued across most of the region. Heavy downpours (120-389 mm; 87-212 % of normal) soaked northwestern and southern Gabon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated 75-200 mm over northwestern DRC, eastern CAR, central Congo and southern Cameroon. Rainfall estimates ranged between 25 and 75 mm over most of DRC, northern and southern Congo, central Cameroon, and southwestern CAR. Dry conditions prevailed over northern Cameroon and northwestern CAR. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over Gabon. They were 2 to 5 degrees C below normal over Congo and parts of CAR.
October 21-31 2003 - Wet season showers persisted across parts of the Sahel. In the east, dry conditions across portions of eastern Ethiopia, central and southern Somalia indicate a possible failure of the short season rains. Failure of short season rains worsens severe, multi-year drought on the Sool Plateau in northern Somalia. In southern Africa, unusually early rains increased soil moisture for row crop planting in Zimbabwe and southern Mozambique while scattered showers dampen top soils across South Africa’s Maize Triangle. In central Africa, tropical rains occurred across most of the region (25-75 mm). These rains, however, were about half of normal across central DRC. Heavier rains fell across Gabon and central Cameroon (75-200 mm). Torrential rains pelted the southwestern corner of Cameroon near the Nigerian boarder (250+ mm). Near normal temperatures were reported across the region.
October 11-20 2003 - Heavy rains drenched southern parts of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana while unseasonably dry weather covered much of the African Horn. Abnormally wet weather struck Zimbabwe, Zambia and southern Mozambique. In central Africa, satellite-estimates indicated that moderate rainfall totals (10-50 mm) were mostly below normal across central and northern DRC and northern Congo. Heavier amounts exceeding 75 mm fell in western Gabon and western CAR. Temperatures averaged close to normal. and southern Mozambique.
October 1-10 2003 - The rainy season continued to wind down in the Sahel, although moderate to heavy rains fell over eastern Burkina Faso. Heavy rains continued to soak Nigeria, and southern Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. In East Africa, the rainy season is off to a slow start. However, moderate rains eased dryness over parts of western Kenya. Heavy showers locally pounded DRC and parts of Congo. Dry conditions prevailed across southern Africa. In Central Africa, spotty moderate to heavy rains (35-345 mm; 85-132% of normal) fell over northern Cameroon, northern CAR, southern Equatorial Guinea, and southern Gabon. Satellite rainfall estimates ranged between 10 and 75 mm in most of Congo and DRC. However, heavy downpours pounded locally north central Congo and western DRC. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
September 21-30 2003 - Rains diminished in the Sahel although Senegal, parts of southern Mali and southeastern Burkina Faso received abundant showers. Torrential rains fell over central and southeastern Nigeria. Dry conditions or light rains prevailed across East Africa, except over western Ethiopia, where satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains. Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of southern Africa. In central Africa, spotty areas in southern CAR and northwestern Gabon received moderate to heavy rains (47-130 mm; 83-198% of normal). Light to moderate rains (2-52 mm; 4-81% of normal) fell over most of Gabon, northern and southwestern Cameroon, and western CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates ranged between 75 and 150 mm across the northern half of DRC and northern Congo. They indicated 10 to 75 mm in southern DRC and in central and southern Congo. Temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees C below average across CAR, Cameroon, and parts of DRC. Elsewhere, they were 1 to 2 degrees C above average.
September 11-20 2003 - Seasonal rains, some of which were locally heavy, continued across the Sahel. The second wet season is underway in the Gulf of Guinea region. Across the highlands of Ethiopia and Eritrea, the Meher season is beginning to wind down while the pastoral lands in southern Ethiopia await the onset of the second wet season. Further south, unusually early showers provide some pre-season moisture across Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa’s Maize Triangle. In Central Africa, heavy rains soaked most of Cameroon, northern Gabon and northwestern Congo (70-150+ mm). Seasonal showers prevailed across CAR and northern DRC (30-100 mm), while showers were on the increase across southern DRC as the wet season sets in.
September 1-10 2003 - Heavy rains continued to fall in the Sahel, especially in the groundnut basin of Senegal. Western Ethiopia and southwestern Eritrea also continued to receive abundant rains. Moderate to heavy rains fell over southwestern Kenya. In central Africa, Moderate to heavy rains (17-159 mm; 100-321% of normal) fell over northern Cameroon, the northern half of Gabon, and locally over southern CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (75-200 mm) over northern Congo, and widespread moderate to heavy rains (25-200 mm) over most of DRC. Temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees C below normal over northern Cameroon and CAR. They were 1 to 2 degrees C above normal elsewhere.
August 21-31 2003 - Widespread rains maintained abundant moisture conditions across much of the Sahel region, with particularly heavy rains in Mali, Burkina Faso and northern Nigeria. Heavy rains also continued in northwestern Ethiopia and western Eritrea. In central Africa, above-normal rains (75-150 mm) hit southern Central African Republic (CAR), but estimated amounts of 25 to 75 mm were generally below normal in central and northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Temperatures averaged slightly below normal in CAR.
August 11-20 2003 - The ITCZ began its annual southward retreat towards the Equator, and was close to its climatological position during the period. Heavy rains resulted in additional flooding problems in Eritrea, northern Ethiopia and adjacent parts of Sudan. Heavy rains also hit southern Senegal and the surrounding region. Seasonal rains continued going strong across most of the Sahel. A strong winter storm eased moisture deficits across Western Cape in South Africa while causing some property damage and ushering in cold air from higher latitudes. In Central Africa, seasonal rains (30-150 mm) fell across northern Cameroon, CAR and northern DRC. Lighter rains (5-30 mm) fell across southern Cameroon, central and southeastern DRC. Seasonably dry conditions continued across Gabon, Congo and southwestern DRC. Temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal in Gabon, and near normal elsewhere.
August 1-10 2003 - The ITCZ continued to move northward, well north of its climatological position. Heavy rains caused flooding across eastern and southern Senegal, as well as across portions of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan. Wet conditions continued across most of the Sahel, however lighter than normal rains increased moisture deficits across western Senegal’s Groundnut Basin. The mini-dry season is well underway across the Gulf of Guinea region while winter rains help to ease cool season precipitation deficits across Western Cape in South Africa. In Central Africa, seasonal rains (50-150 mm) fell across Cameroon, CAR and northern DRC. Lighter rains (5-50 mm) fell across central DRC and northern Congo. Seasonably dry conditions continued across Gabon, southern Congo and southern DRC. Temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal across southern Cameroon and Gabon.
July 21-31 2003 - The ITCZ surged north across the Sahel and was located well north of its climatological position. This failed to produce substantial rainfall across northern Senegal and southern Mauritania. Meanwhile, the mini-dry season appears to be getting established across the Gulf of Guinea area. Beneficial rains fell across the Ethiopian and Eritrean Highlands. Welcome rains occurred across portions of Ethiopia’s Afar region. In central Africa, seasonal rains (25-150 mm) fell across CAR, most of Cameroon and northern DRC. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed across Gabon, Congo and southern DRC. Temperatures averaged near normal across most areas. The exception was Gabon, where temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal.
July 11-20 2003 - Beneficial rains spread across the central and western Ethiopian highlands, but amounts continued below normal in the lower elevations of north-central Ethiopia. Although widespread showers relieved dryness along the Gulf of Guinea coast and in the western Sahel, more rain is needed in Senegal and Mauritania to offset the deficits accumulated during both this year and last. In central Africa, heavy rains (75-200 mm) covered CAR, but amounts were lower to the south across DRC. Temperatures averaged 2 to 4 degrees C above normal in Gabon, but near normal elsewhere.
July 1-10 2003 - Widespread rains continued across the Sahel countries as the ITCZ progressed northward, but dry weather spread across the Gulf of Guinea countries and the southwest coast of West Africa. In East Africa, Ethiopia’s main season rains expanded farther into north-central areas, but amounts were generally below normal and significant rainfall deficits continued over a large portion of the country. In central Africa, seasonable moderate to heavy rains (50-100 mm) fell from C.A.R. into northern DRC. Temperatures were mainly near normal.
June 21-30 2002 - Widespread rains extended across the Sahel countries as the ITCZ surged northward. In East Africa, Ethiopia’s main season rains expanded into central areas, but more rain was needed following several months of deficient totals. In central Africa, seasonable moderate to heavy rains (50-150 mm) fell from C.A.R. into northern DRC. Temperatures were mainly near normal.
June 11-20 2003 - Significant reduction in precipitation amounts was experienced in West Africa as compared to the previous 10-day period. However, moderately heavy rains continued along the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin and Togo. Light to moderate rains continued over western and coastal parts of Kenya as well as western Highland areas in Ethiopia. However, the area east of Lake Tana in north central Ethiopia continued to be dry. In southern Africa, increased rainfall occurred along the eastern coast of Madagascar and in central Africa, rainfall was heavier over southern CAR, southwestern Cameroon and eastern Equatorial Guinea. In central Africa, moderate rains (45-159 mm; 87-472%) fell over southwestern and northern Cameroon, eastern Equatorial Guinea, western and southern CAR. The rest of Cameroon and CAR recorded light rains (1-36 mm; 5-47%) while dry conditions prevailed over most of Gabon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (25-75 mm) over northern Congo and northern DRC while dry conditions were indicated over the southern parts of both countries. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over most of the region.
June 1-10 2003 - In West Africa, moderate to heavy rains continued along the coast of Côte d’Ivoire as rains continued to spread northwards into the Sahel. Light to moderate rains continued over parts of western Kenya as well as western Highland areas in Ethiopia, while unusual dry conditions prevailed over the coastal areas of Kenya. In southern Africa the passage of a cold front resulted in light rains over southern and eastern parts of South Africa and along the coast of Mozambique. In central Africa, Moderate to heavy rains (116-216 mm; 87-318% of normal) fell over southwestern Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and northwestern Gabon. Most parts of CAR, southern Gabon and northern Cameroon recorded light to moderate rains (1-55 mm; 16-159%). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains (10-150 mm) over Congo and most DRC. Dry conditions were indicated over the southern parts of DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal over most of the region.
May 21-31 2003 - Light to moderate rains fell over western Ethiopia easing the long stretch of dryness, which had prevailed in the area. The coast of northern Tanzanian and southern Kenya, which were previously dry, also benefited from moderate to heavy rains that occurred in these areas. Light to moderate rains that continued over western parts of Kenya were likely to sustain the current flooding in the area. Moderate to heavy rains over southeastern Ethiopia and central and southern Somalia, as depicted by satellite imagery, were also likely to increase the flooding in Jubba and Shebelle river basins. In West Africa the heaviest rains occurred along the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, northern parts of Ghana, Togo, Benin, and eastern Nigeria. In the Sahel, rains that started in Burkina Faso spread into the southern parts of Mali, Niger and Chad while dryness prevailed elsewhere. In central Africa, Moderate to heavy rains (77-185 mm; 98-145% of normal) fell over southwestern Cameroon and northern Gabon. Most parts of CAR, southern Gabon and northern Cameroon recorded light rains (2-57 mm; 4-96%). Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate rains (75-150 mm) over western Congo northern DRC. Dry conditions were indicated over southern DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C below normal except in Gabon where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
May 11-20 2003 - Most parts of East Africa, which have been experiencing serious flooding, recorded a significant reduction in precipitation. However, moderately heavy rains continued to fall over western Kenya maintaining flooding in these areas. Beneficial rains fell over coastal Kenya, while dryness continued to prevail over most of Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania and eastern Kenya. In southern Africa, moderate to heavy rains continued over the eastern coast of Madagascar, while generally dry conditions prevailed elsewhere. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (26-121 mm; 47-157% of normal) fell over most of Gabon, Congo, eastern Cameroon, and parts of southern CAR. Light rains (2-44 mm; 5-78% of normal) also fell over the rest of CAR, and central Cameroon, while northern Cameroon remained generally dry. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated light to moderate rains over central and northern DRC, while dryness prevailed over southern DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across most of the region, except in Gabon, southern Cameroon and southern Congo, where they averaged 1 to 2 degrees C above normal.
May 1-10 2003 - Serious flooding, which has caused loss of lives and property, continued over western and parts of central Kenya as a result of continued moderate to heavy rains in the areas. Moderately heavy rains also occurred over northwestern Tanzania. In southern Africa, the late development of tropical cyclone “Manou” in southwest Indian Ocean, brought moderate to heavy rains over eastern Madagascar, while seasonable dryness prevailed elsewhere. In East Africa, dryness continued over northwestern Ethiopia, eastern Tanzania, southern and coastal Kenya. Moderate to heavy rains fell locally along the coast of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in the Gulf of Guinea region, and over Gabon and northern Congo in the central Africa region. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (38-136 mm; 84-163%) fell locally over northern and southern Gabon, and northern Congo. Light rains (1-26 mm; 1-41%) fell over southern CAR, central Congo and southeastern Cameroon. The northern parts of CAR and most of Cameroon remained generally dry. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C above normal across most of the region except in Central and northern Chad where temperatures averaged 4 to 7 degrees C below normal.
April 21-30 2003 - Heavy rains caused local flooding in Kenya. Heavy rains also occurred over parts of Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, and Tanzania. In contrast, abnormal dryness continued over northwestern Ethiopia, coastal Kenya, and eastern Tanzania. Seasonable dryness prevailed across most of southern Africa. Moderate to heavy rains fell locally along the coast in the Gulf of Guinea region. In the Sahel, the early onset of the rainy season in Burkina Faso was sustained, while seasonable dryness continued to prevail elsewhere. In central Africa, seasonable dryness prevailed over northern CAR. Light to moderate rains (50-117 mm; 93-152% of normal) fell locally over southern CAR, southern Gabon, and central Congo. However, rainfall was below normal over northern Gabon, southern Cameroon, western CAR, and northern and central Congo. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (75-200 mm) over northern DRC. Rainfall estimates were lower over southern DRC. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across the region.
April 11-20 2003 - Moderate to heavy showers over southern Somalia, northeastern, western and central Kenya and Southern Ethiopia eased dryness in these areas. As the withdrawal of the rainy season continued in southern Africa, light to moderate rains eased dryness over central Namibia and southwestern Botswana. In West Africa, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria continued to record moderate to heavy rains. In central Africa, moderate to heavy rains (48-232 mm; 92-527%) fell over southern CAR, central and western Cameroon and central Congo. Light to moderate rains (3-65 mm; 10-445%) fell over rest of CAR, Cameroon, Congo, southern Chad and most of Gabon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-250 mm) over most of DRC while dry conditions prevailed over most of Chad and extreme southern DRC. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C below normal across the region.
April 1-10 2003 - Unseasonable dryness continued to prevail over East Africa. Marked reductions in precipitation amounts were evident in most of southern Africa. Increased rains fell in the Gulf of Guinea region, especially over Togo, Benin and Nigeria. In central Africa, light to moderate rains (2-39 mm; 8-106%) fell over CAR and northern Cameroon. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains (25-150 mm) over most of DRC, Congo and Gabon. Temperatures were near average across the region.
March 21-31 2003 - Moderate to heavy rains fell over western and central Kenya and parts of southern Kenya, bringing an end to the long dry spell in the region. Beneficial rains also spread across Tanzania. Torrential rains hit the coast of central Mozambique, and abnormal wetness extended northward into northern Mozambique and Malawi. In central Africa, isolated moderate to heavy rains (62-316 mm; 100-452%) continued over southern-most Gabon, southern Congo and parts of western and northeastern DRC. Some stations in Gabon recorded daily amounts as high as 79 mm. Light to moderate rains of 1 to 22 mm fell over CAR, southern Cameroon and central and northern Congo. Most of DRC, as per satellite rainfall estimates, also recorded light to moderate rains of up to 75 mm. Seasonable dryness prevailed over northern Cameroon and eastern CAR. Temperatures were generally 1 to 3 degrees C below normal over the region except CAR, where temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees C above normal.
March 11-20 2003 - Beneficial showers eased dryness in parts of Ethiopia as well as in Tanzania. Generally dry conditions continued to prevail over most of Kenya and northern Tanzania although northwestern Tanzania and southwestern Kenya experienced some light rains. Moderate to heavy rains fell over eastern parts of Madagascar and the eastern coast of South Africa. Northeastern Mozambique, southern Malawi and most of the eastern sector of South Africa recorded moderately heavy rains, but drought persisted over western Zimbabwe, eastern Botswana, northern South Africa and southern Mozambique. In central Africa, isolated moderate to heavy rains (67-306 mm; 93-550%) extended over southern parts of Gabon and Congo and parts of eastern DRC. Light to moderate rains (12-52 mm; 33-58% of normal) fell over southeastern CAR and central and northern Gabon. Seasonable dryness prevailed over much of Cameroon and central and northern CAR. Temperatures were generally 1 to 4 degrees C above normal over most of the region except DRC, with temperatures averaging 1 to 3 degrees C below normal.
March 1-10 2003 - Moisture deficits eased over parts of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar as a result of heavy rains dumped by Tropical Cyclone Japhet. However, light rains prevailed across much of southern Africa. Spotty light rains fell over southwestern Kenya, marking the onset of the long rainy season. However, unseasonable dryness continued to prevail over Tanzania. Isolated heavy rains fell over parts of DRC, Congo, and western Gabon. In central Africa, spotty light to moderate rains (14-83 mm; 82-409% of normal) fell over southeastern and southwestern CAR, and northern Gabon. Seasonable dryness prevailed over much of Cameroon, central and northern CAR. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains (75-150 mm) over portions of DRC, northern Congo, and western Gabon. Temperatures were generally 1 to 2 degrees C above normal across the region.
February 21-28 2003 - Torrential rains from a tropical disturbance soaked west-central Madagascar. Moderate to heavy rains fell across the northern 2/3 of Zimbabwe and Zambia while dry conditions prevailed across eastern Botswana, extreme southern Zimbabwe and northeastern South Africa. Unseasonable dryness dominated across Tanzania. Early heat prevailed across the Sahel. In central Africa, seasonal rains fell across most of the region (50-100 mm). Conditions were seasonably dry across northern Cameroon, northern and eastern CAR.
February 11-20 2003 - Heavy rains triggered flooding across northern Mozambique and northern Madagascar. Beneficial rains helped to ease dryness across much of southeastern Africa, including South Africa’s Maize Triangle. Drought conditions continued with little if any rainfall across central Mozambique and southern Zimbabwe. Further north, seasonal rains occurred across Tanzania with some early rains in Côte D’Ivoire and Ghana. In Central Africa, seasonal rains (25-150 mm) fell across most of DRC, Congo and Gabon. Showers (less than 25 mm) fell across southern Cameroon and southern CAR. Conditions were seasonably dry across northern Cameroon and northern CAR.
February 1-10 2003 - Drought continued across parts of southern Africa, although heavy showers brought sporadic relief to several locations. Above-normal temperatures worsened drought in some areas. Excessive rains continued over northern parts of Mozambique and Madagascar as well as in Malawi and eastern Zambia. Heavy showers also fell in Angola and Namibia. In central Africa, rainfall increased to moderate to heavy levels (50-150 mm) across DRC, Congo and southern and western Gabon. Temperatures ranged from near to slightly above normal.
January 21-31 2003 - Cyclone 11S (Fari) crossed Madagascar, bringing heavy rains to areas already saturated from earlier rains. Unfavorably wet conditions continued over northern Mozambique, Malawi, and eastern Zambia, while drought persisted from southern Mozambique into Zimbabwe and Botswana. In central Africa, rainfall was mostly moderate from Gabon into DRC, although there were some pockets of heavy rains (150-200 mm, 150% of normal) in Gabon, Congo, and western DRC.
January 11-20 2003 - Heavy rains triggered flooding across northern Mozambique and Madagascar. Further south and west, unfavorably dry conditions increased rainfall deficits across central and southern Mozambique, southern Zimbabwe, southern Zambia, northeastern South Africa and Lesotho. Showers favored much of South Africa’s Maize Triangle and parts of northern Zimbabwe. In Central Africa, seasonal rains (25-75 mm) fell across most of Gabon, Congo and DRC. Locally heavy rains (75-150 mm) fell across parts of eastern DRC. Seasonable dryness prevailed across Cameroon, CAR and extreme northern DRC.
January 1-10 2003 - Heavy showers relieved dryness in central Mozambique and eastern Zimbabwe, while very heavy rains associated with the remains of Cyclone Delfina inundated northeastern Mozambique. Excessive wetness also covered northern Madagascar. Unfavorably dry weather extended across Botswana, western Zimbabwe and extreme southern Mozambique. In central Africa, rainfall increased this period but remained lighter than normal for many areas. Heavy rains (100-200 mm) fell in western, eastern, and southern DRC. Temperatures averaged about 2 degrees C above normal in Gabon and 2 to 4 degrees below normal in CAR.