TMA to release report on El Nino at end of May

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) is set to release the climate outlook for June–August to, among other issues, determine the possibility of El Nino in the country.

The weather forecast report to be issued towards the end of this month will give progress on the climate systems, temperature, and wind patterns outlook, including associated advisories and early warnings to various weather-sensitive sectors that will show if there are signs of El Nino.

The acting manager of the TMA central forecasting office, Dr Kantamla Mafuru, told The Citizen yesterday that currently there are no signs of El Nino, but he added that the chance of having an El Nino in May-June is 60 percent.

“El Nino’s likelihood is low in the May-June period because it is the dry season,” he said. June–August is the windy season, which makes it difficult for El Nino to occur.

The possibility of El Nino increases during the short rain season in October–December because the weather system’s rainfall would join with the intertropical convergence zone’s rains.

The weather agency is also currently preparing the climate outlook for the June–August season.

The underlying weather elements during the June–August period are normally strong winds and cool and cold conditions. These dominate most parts of the country.

TMA further advised citizens to continue following the weather information provided by the authority and also to seek and consider expert advice in the relevant sectors to reduce effects that could lead to bad weather.

In the past, El Nino rains have caused serious damage to national physical assets in terms of infrastructure, agricultural production, and the delivery of social services.