The Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) has projected increased rainfall across several parts of the country in early December, as global pressure systems continue to influence the southward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
According to TMA’s 10-day review, high-pressure systems over the Azores and Siberia strengthened between November 21 and 30, while those over St. Helena and Mascarene weakened.
This shift pushed the ITCZ further south, intensifying rain-bearing patterns over the Lake Victoria Basin, western regions and the southwestern highlands. Moist winds from the Indian Ocean also enhanced rainfall activity along the coastal belt during the first half of the period.
During the last 10 days of November, the country recorded periods of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in the Lake Victoria Zone, western regions, the southwestern highlands and parts of southern Tanzania.
Light and isolated showers were also observed in some areas along the northern coast and in the northeastern highlands.
TMA now expects these conditions to extend into the first 10 days of December. The continued strengthening of northern-hemisphere pressure systems is expected to keep the ITCZ positioned over the Lake Victoria Basin and the western and southwestern regions, where rainfall activity is forecast to intensify.
Along the coastline, moist onshore winds are projected to gain strength toward the end of the forecast period, encouraging additional rain in some areas.
In the Lake Victoria Basin, some locations are likely to experience showers and thunderstorms mainly during the final days of the forecast window.
The northeastern highlands, however, are expected to remain largely dry throughout the period. Along the northern coast including Tanga, northern Morogoro, Pwani, Dar es Salaam, and the Isles light showers may occur in a few places toward the end of the 10 days.
Western regions such as Kigoma and Katavi may also record rainfall with occasional thunderstorms, mostly in the closing days of the period.
Central regions including Dodoma and Singida are forecast to remain generally dry. In the southwestern highlands, a few areas may receive intermittent rainfall, especially as the period comes to an end.
The southern coast, covering Mtwara and Lindi, may experience light and isolated rains during the same period, while parts of Ruvuma and southern Morogoro are expected to record periodic rainfall as the forecast window draws to a close.
TMA has urged communities, particularly farmers, pastoralists and local government authorities, to continue monitoring daily weather updates as the seasonal rainfall pattern evolves across the country.
