WEEKLY AFRICAN WEATHER HAZARDS ASSESSMENT
                                
                JUNE 26, 2002 DISCUSSION:    

1)   Locally heavy rains throughout the western highlands of Ethiopia may cause isolated
flooding problems. Major or widespread flooding problems are not anticipated. 

2)    Much below normal rainfall across parts of southeastern Kenya and along the southern
Somalia coast during the month of May, combined with sparse June rains, has resulted in drought
conditions. Scattered showers are expected during the weekend along the Kenya coast. Mostly
dry condition are anticipated along the coast of southern Somalia. 
 
3)   A drought during the last half of the 2001-02 rainy season has resulted in large moisture          
deficits across the Limpopo River Basin in southeastern Africa. This has reduced water
availability to reservoirs, wells and rivers across the area. Major improvement is not expected
until November, when the rainy season usually begins. 

4)    Cold high pressure is expected to settle over portions of southeastern Africa on June 30th and
July 1st. As a result, morning low temperatures are expected to range from -6C  to -11C (12F to
20F) across Lesotho and adjacent portions of KwaZulu-Natal and Free State in South Africa. The
coldest temperatures will occur in elevated valley locations. This could stress livestock and pose
an exposure hazard to peoples residing in this area without access to adequate shelter. 

5)   Locally heavy seasonal rains are expected throughout the period along the Gulf of Guinea
coast, across central Cameroon, portions of CAR, parts of southwestern Sudan and northern
DRC. As a result, the potential for isolated flooding problems exists. Widespread flooding,
however, is not expected. 

6)   Heavy rains saturated soils across parts of southwestern Mali, northeastern Guinea and
northern Cote D'Ivoire on June 22 and June 25. Additional rains are expected during the period.
As a result, the potential for flooding exists across the region. this area includes the Mali capital
of Bamako.  

  
Author: Chester V. Schmitt