vf-tropicom Meteorological Analysis for Africa

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Preliminary Monthly Weather Analysis -
Subsaharan Africa 1998/1999

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 1999 - In southern Africa, abnormally heavy rains again fell over eastern Angola and east-central South Africa, but dry conditions returned to eastern Zambia, northern Zimbabwe, Malawi, northern interior Mozambique, and central Madagascar. In eastern Africa, heavy rains covered central Kenya, but below-normal rains fell over Tanzania and southern Uganda. In central Africa, heavy rains extended from eastern Gabon and western Congo to northern and eastern DRC (former Zaire). In western Africa, seasonably dry weather prevailed.
  • December 11-20 1999 - In southern Africa, abnormally heavy rains fell over southeastern Angola and extended to western Zambia and northern and central Namibia. In contrast, below-normal rains fell over Zimbabwe. Moderate to heavy rains relieved dry conditions over northern Malawi and northern Mozambique. In eastern Africa, abundant rains ended dryness in Tanzania, and near-normal rains fell over Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. In central Africa, satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains over much of DRC. In West Africa, seasonably dry weather prevailed, although amounts were below normal over southern coastal areas.
  • December 1-10 1999 - In southern Africa, abnormally heavy rains fell over western and southern Angola, central Zimbabwe, and western South Africa. Dry conditions persisted over eastern Zambia, northern Malawi, and northern Mozambique. In eastern Africa, above-normal rains fell over Kenya, southern Somalia, and northern Uganda, but abnormal dryness continued over Tanzania. In central Africa, heavy rains lessened somewhat, especially over Gabon and western DRC (former Zaire). In western Africa, seasonably dry weather prevailed, though amounts were below normal over southern coastal areas.
  • November 21-30 1999 - In East Africa, above-normal rains fell again over Kenya, southern Somalia, northern Tanzania, and the Lake Victoria region, but abnormal dryness persisted over southern Ethiopia and southern Tanzania. The rainy season is well established over Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and southern Mozambique, but rainfall was below normal over Malawi, northern Mozambique, Madagascar, and much of South Africa’s western corn belt. In central Africa, heavy rains fell over eastern DRC and over the border region of Gabon and Congo. In western Africa, the dry season predominated except along the Gulf of Guinea coast, where satellite estimates indicated light to moderate rains.
  • November 11-20 1999 - In East Africa, heavy rains fell over much of Kenya and northern Tanzania, relieving dryness, but abnormal dryness prevailed over other parts of the region. Light to moderate rains fell across southern Africa. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains over western Angola and west-central Madagascar. In central Africa, satellite estimates showed moderate to heavy rainfalls over Gabon, Congo, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Seasonal dry conditions prevailed in western Africa, except along the Guinea coast, where satellite estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains.
  • November 1-10 1999 - In East Africa, abnormal dryness persisted over Tanzania and most of northern and eastern Kenya, but satellite estimates indicated light to moderate rains over southern parts of Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, as well as Uganda, central Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda. Across southern Africa, the rainy season was delayed over interior northern Mozambique, Malawi, and parts of southern Zambia, but seasonal rains fell over central Zimbabwe, eastern South Africa, and Madagascar. Moderate to heavy rains fell in northern Angola.
  • October 21-31 1999 - In West Africa, the dry season became established across the interior as the seasonal rains continued their retreat southward. In East Africa, the short season rains improved over central Kenya, but abnormally dry weather persisted in Tanzania, Burundi, and along the east Kenyan and southern Somalian coast. Dry weather also covered Malawi and northern Mozambique, but above-normal rains extended from Zimbabwe southward to eastern South Africa.
  • October 11-20 1999 - In West Africa, rainfall decreased seasonally from Mali to Niger, where rainfall was mostly light, but amounts were above normal over Senegal and southern parts of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, as well as northern Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. In central Africa, heavy rains fell over western Central African Republic and parts of Gabon. In East Africa, above-normal rains continued over Uganda, western Kenya, eastern Sudan, and Ethiopia, but southern Somalia stayed dry. In southern Africa, rainfall was spotty over eastern South Africa.
  • October 1-10 1999 - In West Africa, above-normal rains extended from Senegal eastward to southwestern Mali, western Burkina Faso and southern Niger, continuing the wet pattern seen since July. Above-normal rains also fell over the Gulf of Guinea coast after a long period of dryness. Over central Africa, satellite rainfall estimates indicated heavy rains over northwestern Cameroon and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire). In eastern Africa, above-normal rains covered most of Ethiopia, Uganda, and central Sudan. In southern Africa, light to moderate rains fell over South Africa, Botswana, northeastern Namibia and the east coast of Madagascar.
  • September 1999 - Rainfall decreased in September over most parts of the Sahelian region, but amounts were generally normal to above normal, continuing the wet pattern observed since July. Above-normal rains fell across southern Mauritania, west-central Senegal, southern Mali, and southern and western Niger. Maximum monthly rainfall totaled 158 mm in Senegal, 252 mm in Mali and 265 mm Niger. Satellite estimates indicated higher monthly values exceeding 300 mm further south along the coast of Guinea Conakry and Sierra Leone, over northern Togo, northwestern Benin, and central Nigeria and its border region with Cameroon. Dryness persisted over the Gulf of Guinea coast from Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana. Temperatures were near normal except 2 degrees C below normal in Ghana.
  • September 21-30 1999 - The downward trend of rainfall continued in West Africa during the 10-day period. Nevertheless, satellite rainfall estimates still indicated heavy rains over some parts of Nigeria, along the coast of Guinea Conakry, and over Sierra Leone and Ghana. In central Africa, heavy rains extended from Equatorial Guinea eastward to northern Gabon and Congo Brazzaville. Further north, south-central Central African Republic also picked up heavy rains. According to satellite rainfall estimates, heavy rains fell over eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Below-normal rainfalls were reported over most parts of eastern Africa, except over central and northern Ethiopia and its border region with Sudan. In southern Africa, light to moderate rains fell over many parts of South Africa and Zimbabwe.
  • September 11-20 1999 - Rainfall has slightly decreased over West Africa. Abundant rains fell across much of the Sahel, except some isolated pockets of dryness over southeastern Mauritania, western Mali, and central Chad. Below normal rains were also noted over parts of the Gulf of Guinea region from eastern Guinea Conakry eastward into Ghana. In East Africa, moderate rains fell over central Sudan, central Ethiopia, and along the Coast of Kenya. In southern African, seasonably dry conditions prevailed. However, moderate to heavy rains were observed along the east coast of Madagascar, while lighter rains fell over the southwestern tip of South Africa.
  • September 1-10 1999 - Above-normal rains continued in most of West Africa, with heavy rainfall soaking central Burkina Faso, southeastern and northwestern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Côte d’Ivoire and southwestern Ghana experienced dry conditions. Below-normal rains fell in southeastern Sudan and southwest Ethiopia, but the remainder of East Africa was mostly normal. In Central Africa, moderate rains continued over central Republic of Central Africa (58-97 mm). Satellite estimates indicated heavy rains (100-200 mm) over central and western DRC (former Zaire) and dry conditions over the extreme north. Light rainfalls were recorded elsewhere. Temperatures were near normal. Unseasonable wetness stretched along coastal South Africa.
  • August 1999 - West Africa was unusually wet in August across both the Sahel countries and the Guinea coast. Temperatures were near normal except 2 to 3 degrees C below normal over southwestern Mauritania, north Mali, north Niger and central Chad. In Central Africa, above-normal monthly rainfall ranged from 200 to over 300 mm in central and northern DRC (former Zaire), northern Congo and across the Republic of Central Africa. Temperatures were near normal. In Eastern Africa , the rainfall pattern was mixed, with monthly rainfall below normal in southwest Ethiopia and above normal in central Sudan, northern Ethiopia and the border region between Sudan and Ethiopia. Monthly temperatures were near normal, except 2-3 degrees C below normal over western Tanzania. Seasonally dry conditions prevailed over much of southern Africa, except for above-normal rains along the southwestern coast of South Africa, Madagascar’s central highlands, and eastern Zimbabwe. Monthly temperatures were near to above normal except over western Zambia (2 to 3 degrees C below normal).
  • August 21-31 1999 - More heavy rains fell over the Sahel countries, including southern Senegal , eastern Mali, southern Burkina Faso, western and central Niger, and central Chad. Below-normal temperatures extended from southeastern Mauritania to northern Mali. Heavy rains also extended from central and southern Nigeria to western and northern Cameroon. Rains increased from coastal Côte d’Ivoire to the coast of Ghana. Abnormally abundant rains soaked northern Ethiopia and central Sudan. Unseasonable rains fell over the southwestern and eastern coasts of South Africa. Heavy rains pelted the central part of the Republic of Central Africa (103-256 mm), the border region between RCA and Sudan (110-113 mm), and the Cameroon coast. Amounts were mainly above-normal from the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) into northern Congo to the west. Near-normal temperatures prevailed over much of central Africa.
  • August 11-20 1999 - Heavy rains fell over much of Senegal and western Mali. Unusual rains were also observed over northeastern Mali and central Niger. Dryness persisted along the Guinea coast from Liberia eastward to Ghana. Meteosat rainfall estimates indicated that rainfall was abundant over Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Dry conditions prevailed over much of East Africa. Some isolated heavy rains were recorded over Central Ethiopia, though. Seasonably dry conditions were also observed over much of southern Africa. Unusually high temperatures were recorded over Namibia and much of South Africa.
  • August 1-10 1999 - August was off to a wet start in the Sahel and central Africa, with heavy rains over Chad, Niger, northern Nigeria, western Guinea, northern Sierra Leone, northern Côte d’Ivoire, southern Mali, northern Cameroon, eastern Republic of Central Africa, and northern Congo. Scattered heavy rains fell over central Ethiopia. Dryness continued in Ghana and southern Côte d’Ivoire and spread into southwestern Nigeria and coastal Benin and Togo. Temperatures were unusually high over Zimbabwe and northeastern Namibia.
  • July 21-31 1999 - Moisture conditions continued to improve across the Sahel countries as normal to above-normal rains spread across much of the region. To the south, the mid-summer dry period appeared to have begun in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Abundant showers covered crop areas in northern Ethiopia, western Eritrea, and much of Sudan. Unseasonable rains eased dryness along the southern coast of South Africa.
  • July 11-20 1999 - Moderate to heavy rains overspread much of Senegal, parts of Burkina Faso, southern and western Niger, and parts of Côte d’Ivoire, but rainfall was below normal over Mali. In East Africa, somewhat below-normal rains were recorded, except over northern Ethiopia, southern Sudan, western Kenya, and most of Uganda. Seasonable dryness prevailed over southern Africa.
  • July 1-10 1999 - Below normal rainfall continued to be reported in most part of the Sahelian countries, except western Senegal and southwestern Mali. Rainfall was also abundant over Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. In East Africa, heavy showers marked the start of the main rainy season in Eritrea and northern Ethiopia, but rains were spotty in Sudan. Seasonable dryness prevailed over southern Africa.
  • June 1999 - Monthly rainfall was below normal across much of West Africa, but heavy rains covered large parts of the coastal Gulf of Guinea region. In East Africa, below normal rains fell over parts of Kenya, southwestern Uganda, and much of Ethiopia. Abundant rains fell in southwestern Kenya, central Ethiopia, and southwestern Sudan. In Central Africa, near normal rains fell over CAR and northern Congo. Below-normal rains fell over Cameroon, while wetter conditions prevailed in Gabon. Temperatures were near to slightly above normal. Seasonably dry conditions prevailed over much of the southern African region.
  • June 21-30 1999 - The rainy season continued to be slow getting started in the Sahel, with most of the Sahel again reporting below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures. In contrast, heavy rains fell over Côte d’Ivoire, southwestern Ghana, and central and southern Nigeria. Rainfall was above normal over southeastern Sudan and northern Uganda, but abnormal dryness continued in north-central Ethiopia, where the second rainy season has been slow to start. Seasonably dry weather persisted in southern Africa. In central Africa, rainfall was below normal (10-60 mm; 15-75% of normal) across much of Cameroon and Central African Republic (CAR). Gabon was seasonably dry. Moderate to heavy rains (50-105 mm; 95-140% of normal) fell in parts of southwestern Cameroon and western Congo. Satellite rainfall estimates indicated moderate to heavy rains over the northern half of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Temperatures were near normal everywhere in the central region.
  • June 11-20 1999 - The rainy season continued to be slow getting underway in the Sahel countries, with most of the Sahel again reporting below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures. Rainfall was below normal in the drought-affected areas of north-central Ethiopia, where the second rainy season should be starting. The dry season remains entrenched over Somalia, and rainfall was below normal in western Kenya and Sudan. Seasonably dry weather persisted in southern Africa.
  • June 1-10 1999 - The rainy season is off to a somewhat slow start in the Sahel countries, with most of the Sahel reporting below-normal rainfall and slightly above-normal temperatures. Seasonably dry weather prevailed in the drought-affected areas of north-central Ethiopia, but moderate to heavy rains continued in western Ethiopia. Rainfall remained light and below normal in southern and eastern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, and Rwanda. In central Africa, above-normal rains fell over northern Cameroon, C.A.R, and the northern half of D.R. of Congo. Seasonably dry weather covered southern Africa.
  • May 1999 - In East Africa, the monthly highlight for May was the confirmed failure of the short season (belg) rains in north-central Ethiopia. The rains also ended early in much of the rest of Ethiopia, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, southwestern Uganda, and parts of Kenya. However, southern Sudan had normal to above-normal rains. West Africa was drier than normal as the ITCZ seemed to stall in its seasonal progression. Southern Africa was seasonably dry, although South Africa and southern Mozambique had some heavy rains mid-month.
  • May 21-31 1999 - Drought continued in north-central Ethiopia and rainfall was also below normal in southern and eastern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, southwest Kenya, and Rwanda and Burundi. In West Africa, seasonable rains provided some droughtrelief in Togo and Benin, but rainfall continued mostly below normal across the region. Abnormally light rains fell in the southern Sahel except in Chad and western Niger. In central Africa, heavy rains fell over southwestern Cameroon, while moderate to heavy rains covered C.A.R, the northern half of D.R. of Congo, and northern Cameroon. Seasonably dry weather covered southern Africa.
  • May 11-20 1999 - Drought continued in north-central Ethiopia as abnormally dry weather spread into southern and eastern areas. Heavy showers covered much of southern Sudan. Rains diminished in southern Somalia and much of Kenya. In West Africa, low rainfall resulted in drought developing in Togo and Benin, while below-normal rainfall also prevailed in the southern Sahel. Unseasonable rains fell across South Africa and southern Mozambique, as the remainder of southern Africa continued seasonably dry. In central Africa, rainfall was above normal over most countries, including Cameroon, Central African Republic, and central and northern D.R. Congo.
  • May 1-10 1999 - Drought worsened in north-central Ethiopia, heavy showers covered western Ethiopia, and beneficial rains fell across central and northeastern Kenya and southern Somalia. Heavy rains continued over southern Sudan and moved into central Sudan. In West Africa, below-normal rainfall prevailed in the Gulf of Guinea countries and rainfall diminished in the Sahel. Seasonably dry weather covered most of southern Africa, though moderate rains fell over west-central South Africa.
  • April 1999 - In southern Africa, the rains ended somewhat earlier than usual, but in eastern areas there were some rains late in the month. In east Africa, the seasonal rains were beginning in many areas. North and central Ethiopia remained dry, continuing the drought which began in February. Abnormal dryness also continued in parts of southwest Kenya and across western Tanzania. Somalia was also dry for much of the month but had received rain in all but the northeast section by the end of the month. In west Africa, rains were seasonable along the Gulf of Guinea coast but were moving northward into the Sahel earlier than usual.
  • April 21-30 1999 - In east Africa, heavy showers increased moisture supplies in southern Somalia and western Ethiopia, but rainfall amounts remained below normal in central Ethiopia, allowing drought to continue. Heavy rains also appeared to signal the start of the rainy season across southern Sudan. Abnormal dryness continued across western Tanzania and parts of southwest Kenya. Above normal rains covered much of South Africa and Mozambique, but seasonably dry weather continued over the remainder of the region. Abnormally dry weather covered Angola and southeastern DR Congo. In West Africa, normal to above-normal rains fell across the Gulf of Guinea countries, while the seasonal rains began moving northward into the southern Sahel. High temperatures moderated over the Sahel.
  • April 11-20 1999 - In east Africa, abnormal dryness continued over northern and far eastern Ethiopia and central and northeastern Somalia, but moderate rains eased dryness in northern Kenya and southern Somalia. Below-normal rains fell in Tanzania and, in southern Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. In West Africa, below-normal rains fell in much of the area except in parts of Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
  • April 1-10 1999 - In east Africa, abnormal dryness again prevailed over Ethiopia, extending southward into northern and eastern Kenya and Somalia. Above-normal rains again fell in Tanzania and northern Mozambique. Mostly dry weather covered southern Africa from western and central Zambia southward through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa. Unusually high temperatures aggravated dry conditions in western South Africa and much of Namibia. In West Africa, normal to above-normal rains fell from eastern Côte d’Ivoire to southern Nigeria. Abnormal heat was mostly confined to Senegal, Mauritania, and Mali.
  • March 1999 - In southern Africa, northern areas were rainy and southern areas were drier. In east Africa, eastern Tanzania, western Kenya and eastern Ethiopia were rainy, but other areas were dry. In west Africa, rains continued over coastal areas while the Sahel remained seasonably dry. Unusually warm weather covered much of the area.
  • March 21-31 1999 - In east Africa, drier weather prevailed, with dryness or near-dryness conditions developing in northern Ethiopia. In contrast, above-normal rains fell from Tanzania southward to northern Mozambique. Beneficial rains early in the period eased dryness in the summer crop areas of South Africa, though little rain fell in Western Cape. Abnormal heat prevailed across the Sahel in West Africa.
  • March 11-20 1999 - Beneficial rains fell in Namibia, northern Botswana, Lesotho, and eastern South Africa, but abnormally hot weather maintained dry conditions in South Africa’s western crop areas. In East Africa, above normal rains fell from southern and eastern Ethiopia southward into southern Somalia and northern Kenya, but rainfall was below normal in northern Ethiopia. Abnormal wetness persisted from western Tanzania and northern Mozambique westward into DR Congo and northern Zambia. In West Africa, the Sahel remained seasonably dry, while showers diminished along the western Gulf of Guinea coast.
  • March 1-10 1999 - In southern Africa, significantly hot, dry weather covered large parts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Lesotho. In East Africa, dryness eased as the main rainy season began in Kenya and northern Tanzania, while the first rainy season started in Ethiopia. In West Africa, the Sahel and the northern Gulf of Guinea countries remained seasonably dry, but light to moderate rains persisted in southern portions of the Gulf of Guinea countries.
  • February 1999 - In southern Africa, heavy rains hit Mozambique, Zambia, southwest Madagascar and much of Malawi. Drier weather prevailed to the south and west of the wet zone including Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. While there was heavy rainfall early in the month in South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal province, monthly totals in the maize triangle were generally short of normal. East African rainfall declined from January levels, with below-normal rainfall in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. For many areas this represents a late start to the rainy season. Heavier rains relieved drought over much of Tanzania, with only the far northern interior remaining abnormally dry. In West Africa, above-normal rains fell along the Guinea coast. The Sahel countries were seasonably dry. Over central Africa, monthly rainfall totals were above normal, especially in eastern and northern DR Congo and the Central African Republic. Late month heavy rains accounted for much of the anomalous wetness.
  • February 21-28 1999 - In southern Africa, heavy rains returned to central Mozambique, southern and central Malawi, and southeastern Zambia, but drier weather covered much of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and southern Zimbabwe. In East Africa, widespread showers eased dryness across most of Tanzania, but drought continued in Kenya and adjacent parts of Tanzania. Light rains did little to relieve dryness in Rwanda, while showers brought scattered relief to Uganda. Only widely scattered showers fell in Ethiopia, where the short rainy season (belg rains) has been delayed. In West Africa, the Sahel and the northern Gulf of Guinea countries remained seasonably dry, but light to moderate rains persisted in southern portions of the Gulf of Guinea countries.
  • February 11-20 1999 - In southern Africa, drier weather benefited the previously-wet areas of Mozambique, northern Zimbabwe, southeastern South Africa, and west-central Madagascar, while beneficial showers covered South Africa’s maize triangle. In East Africa, rainfall deficits mounted in most areas except for southeastern Kenya, where showers reduced the deficit. In West Africa, light to moderate rains persisted in central and southern portions of some Gulf of Guinea countries.
  • February 1-10 1999 - Light to moderate rains covered most of southern Africa except for very heavy rains in the southern half of Mozambique and the southeast coast of South Africa. Moderate to heavy rains continued over Madagascar. In East Africa, rainfall deficits mounted in most areas. In West Africa, the Sahel and the northern Guinea countries remained seasonably dry, but light to moderate rains persisted in southern portions of some Guinea countries.
  • January 1999 - For the second consecutive month very heavy rains deluged northern parts of southern Africa. Even the drought in northern Mozambique finally ended. More southern areas were dry, however. In eastern Africa and the Horn, rains brought welcome relief for dryness in Tanzania. Rains also fell near Lake Victoria in Kenya, but other parts of the country remained dry. More northern areas were seasonably dry except for northern Ethiopia which had unusually wet weather. In West Africa, the Sahel was seasonably dry, but areas along the Guinea Coast had unusually heavy rains.
  • January 21-31 1999 - Diminished rains followed previous excessive amounts in central and southern Mozambique, southern Malawi, and extreme eastern Zimbabwe. Heavy rains did strike extreme southwest Tanzania, northern Malawi, and parts of Zambia and Madagascar. Dry weather returned to Kenya and northern Tanzania, but plentiful rains continued to reduce long-term dryness in central and southern Tanzania. Seasonably dry weather in the interior with coastal showers prevailed in West Africa.
  • January 11-20 1999 - Excessive rains fell over central and southern Mozambique, southern Malawi, and extreme eastern Zimbabwe, triggering flooding in Mozambique. In East Africa, widespread showers relieved drought over Tanzania, though rainfall deficits continued in much of Kenya and extreme northern and eastern Tanzania. In West Africa, the Sahel and the northern Guinea countries remained seasonably dry, but scattered light to moderate rains fell along the Gulf of Guinea coast.
  • January 1-10 1999 - Light to moderate rains covered most of southern Africa except for heavy rains in Malawi and central Mozambique. Very heavy rains fell in southwestern Madagascar. In East Africa, rainfall deficits continued to accumulate in Kenya and eastern Tanzania, though rains eased dryness in northern Mozambique. In West Africa, the Sahel and the northern Guinea countries remained seasonably dry, but light to moderate rains persisted along the Gulf of Guinea coast.
  • December 1998 - In southern Africa, rainfall levels improved in most areas, the exception being northern Mozambique. In Eastern Africa/the Horn, rains were below normal in most areas south of the equator. Drought persisted in Tanzania and dryness was becoming a serious problem in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and southern Somalia. West Africa was seasonably dry but with rains persisting along the Gulf of Guinea coast.
  • December 21-31 1998 - In southern Africa, heavy rains covered southeast, central and northwest Mozambique, and northeast Zimbabwe. Much of the region remained under light to moderate rainfall. Torrential rains brought seasonal totals up to normal levels in central Madagascar. In East Africa, while moderate to isolated heavy rains soaked north DR Congo, rainfall deficits continued to accumulate in Kenya, a north-south band over central Tanzania, and the southern half of Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. In West Africa, the Sahel and the northern Guinea countries remained seasonably dry, but light to moderate rains persisted along the Gulf of Guinea coast.
  • December 11-20 1998 - There were substantial rains over the eastern half of South Africa, northern Zimbabwe, and south-central Mozambique. Heavy rains continued to ease dryness in central Madagascar, but rainfall deficits continued to accumulate in northern Mozambique, central and eastern Tanzania, and parts of Kenya. In West Africa, the Sahel countries and northern Gulf of Guinea countries remained seasonably dry.
  • December 1-10 1998 - Above-normal rainfall continued over most crop areas in southern Africa, but dryness persisted from northern Mozambique through western and central Tanzania into western Kenya. Seasonable dryness became established in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda. In West Africa, the Sahel countries and northern Gulf of Guinean countries remained seasonably dry, but rains persisted from Sierra Leone eastward into central and southern Côte d’Ivoire and along the coast from Ghana to Cameroon.
  • November 1998 - Rains followed their seasonal southward retreat across West Africa with dryness in the Sahel and rains persisting along the Gulf of Guinea coast. In Eastern Africa/the Horn, rains were also following a normal southward retreat, but conditions were generally drier than normal and in many areas south of the equator, the start of rains was delayed. In southern Africa, seasonal rains were beginning, although delayed in some areas.
  • November 21-30 1998 - Substantial rainfall was reported over Zimbabwe, the eastern half of South Africa, and southern Mozambique, but there was continuing dryness in northern Mozambique. In East Africa, the rain belt made its seasonable southward retreat, reflected by the withdrawal of rains from southern parts of Ethiopia and Sudan. In West Africa, the Sahel countries remained seasonably dry, but rains persisted along the coast.
  • November 11-20 1998 - Across southern Africa there were heavy showers over South Africa and welcomed rains over previously dry areas of Zimbabwe and Zambia. In contrast, Malawi, Eastern Zambia, and parts of Mozambique and Madagascar remained unseasonably dry. In East Africa, rains have eliminated most deficits in eastern Kenya and southern Somalia, while deficits continued to accumulate in northeastern Tanzania.
  • November 1-10 1998 - In southern Africa there were continuing seasonable showers over South Africa, but developing dryness across Zimbabwe’s main crop areas and parts of Zambia, Mozambique, and Madagascar. In East Africa, the delayed start of the rainy season has caused deficits over norheastern Tanzania, but rains reduced deficits over eastern Kenya and southern Somalia. In West Africa, the seasonal rains retreated to the coast.
  • October 1998 - The rainy season ended over the Sahel, and rains were generally light along the coasts in West Africa. In the Horn, there was an easing of the heavy rains over Ethiopia by mid-month, but unseasonably wet weather continued in central and southern Sudan. Much of coastal Kenya, Tanzania, central Uganda and south-central Somali was dry. In southern Africa, the rainy season made a strong start, with rains spreading from the eastern half of South Africa northward into Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. In Angola, rains were moving southward more quickly than usual, but they were also lighter than normal.
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