By Patrick Jaramogi
Kampala: The worries of the heavy floods that comes with the rain season has set in. According to Mr. Festus Luboyera, the Executive Director Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), the early March- May rains have commenced.
In a statement issue by the UNMA, the Luzira based body, weather experts have announced the start of the March to May rainy season, warning that showers will be characterized by thunder and hailstorms.
The forecast done by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), said farmers are free to start planting their crops since the rains have started in many parts of the country.
“Overall, there is an increased likelihood of near normal with slight tendency to above normal rainfall over several parts of the country with [the] exception of some parts of Karamoja and cattle corridor in south-western Uganda,” reads in part, UNMA forecast, a copy of which this paper has seen.
“The rainfall during this season is also highly expected to be characterized by severe isolated thunderstorms and hailstorms in some parts of the country,” adds the forecast. The forecast is officially expected to be released tomorrow in Kampala.
Uganda has two rain seasons-March to May and September to December being the second.
General Forecast
Overall, there is an increased likelihood of near normal with a slight tendency to Above Normal rainfall over several parts of the country with the exception of some parts of southern Karamoja region and cattle corridor in the South-western expected to receive near Normal with a slight tendency of Below normal rainfall. Ø The onset of the seasonal rains is expected to be early in South-western (Late Feb) with a gradual progression in other parts of the country and to finally parts of eastern and North-eastern region around end of March to early April. The rainfall during this “Weather and Climate for all” season is also highly expected to be characterized by severe isolated thunderstorms and hailstorms in some parts of the country.
Central Region & Lake Victoria Basin
Kampala and Wakiso districts that are normally hard hit by the heavy rains fall in the Central and Region and Lake Victoria Basin.
According to UNMA, Western Lake Victoria Basin Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi, Butambala, Masaka, Lwengo, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Gomba, Mityana and Kalangala will start receiving early rains from early to mid-March to end of April, then onwards to late May.
Overall, there are high chances for the region to receive near normal rain with a slightly tending to above normal rains. The peak in these areas will be around mid to end of April.
