Government has released the 2026/27 Seasonal Rainfall Outlook and urged stakeholders across all sectors to plan early to safeguard lives, livelihoods and the economy.
The forecast was officially unveiled by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, at the National Climate Outlook Forum held at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.
Delivering her keynote address, Dr Ndlovu said the seasonal outlook is a vital national planning instrument that allows Government, business and communities to anticipate risks and take proactive measures before weather hazards become disasters.
She stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems, drawing lessons from previous extreme events such as Cyclone Idai and the Mbuya Nehanda ferry incident. She also applauded the launch of the Early Warnings for All initiative in Mutare last month as a key milestone in building community-level resilience.
The 2026/27 season is developing under the influence of an El Niño episode, which is expected to persist and heighten the probability of depressed rainfall countrywide.
According to the Meteorological Services Department, the October to December 2026 period is likely to record below-normal rainfall across the entire country. For January to March 2027, the southern and western regions are projected to receive normal to below-normal rainfall, while the rest of the country is expected to receive below-normal rainfall.
Warmer-than-normal temperatures are also anticipated during the first three months of the season, while the onset of the rains is projected to be erratic, with a significant part of the country likely to experience no effective start to the season. The outlook is comparable to the 2023/24 and 2015/16 seasons, which were marked by widespread onset failure and prolonged dry spells.
Dr Ndlovu urged sectors such as agriculture, water, energy and disaster management to mainstream the forecast into their planning and preparedness frameworks. She called for a whole-of-government approach to strengthen resilience and protect lives and livelihoods in line with Vision 2030.
The Meteorological Services Department will continue to provide daily forecasts, 10-day bulletins and regular updates for short-term planning. The public is advised to rely on official channels for accurate and timely information.
