Zimbabwe’s Meteorological Services Department has issued a preliminary warning of an imminent El Niño event, with global forecasting centres indicating an 88-94% chance of its emergence during the 2026/27 rainy season. Historically, El Niño is associated with a 65% probability of below-normal rainfall in Zimbabwe, posing risks to water security, agriculture, and socio-economic stability.
The department’s early warning is part of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, aiming to provide universal protection from hazardous hydrometeorological events. Given the uncertainty of early-season predictions, the department has not yet released an official seasonal forecast, advising stakeholders to await the National Climate Outlook (NACOF) in August 2026.
Communities are urged to remain vigilant and adopt proactive measures, such as water conservation and drought-tolerant agricultural practices. The public is advised to rely on official updates from Meteorological Services Department for timely early warnings to inform decision-making and action.
